Plant transcription factors

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a transcription factor. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the transcription factor, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the transcription factor in a transformed host cell.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/111,722, filed Dec. 9, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention is in the field of plant molecular biology. More specifically, this invention pertains to nucleic acid fragments encoding transcription factors in plants and seeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Gene expression levels are influenced by the interactions of transcription factors with proteins that are present in general transcription complexes. Transcription factors generally have an activation domain and a DNA binding domain. In addition, other non-DNA binding proteins known as coactivators interact with transcription factors and transcription complex proteins to further stimulate transcription. The ABI3 protein of Arabidopsis thaliana, Vp1 protein of maize and rice are related proteins that appear to be involved in the regulation of transcription (Giraudat et al. (1992) Plant Cell 4:1251-1261, McCarty et al. (1991) Cell 66:895-905 and Hattori et al. (1994) Plant Molecular Biology 24:805-810).

[0004] ABI3 and Vp1 transcription factors are known to be involved in various aspects of seed development and germination in Arabidopsis and maize. Expression of ABI3 and Vp1 proteins appear to be specific to seed development and mutations in the ABI3 gene cause a reduction or loss of expression of the 2S and 12S seed storage proteins (Nambara et al. (1994) Plant Cell Physiol. 35:509-513; Parcy et al. (1994) Plant Cell 6:1567-1582). Mutants in the related Vp1 gene of maize also cause reduction in seed storage protein expression (Kriz et al (1990) Plant Physiol. 92:538-542). In transient assays in maize protoplasts, Vp1 was shown to activate the maize Em promoter. The Em gene is expressed during embryo development (McCarty et al. (1991) Cell 66:895-905). The activation domain of Vp1 was localized to the N-terminal 121 amino acids in Gal4 fusion experiments using transient assays (McCarty et al. (1991) Cell 66:895-905). The ABI3 and VP1 proteins appear to be related to known transcription factors, however, it is unclear whether they actually can bind to DNA. They may bind to DNA in conjunction with another protein, or may be coactivator type regulators. In any case, these related proteins are stimulators of transcription.

[0005] Recently, RAV1 and RAV2 proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana have been shown to have homology to the known transcription factor AP2 (Kagaya, Y., et al., (1998) NCBI Identifier Numbers: gi 3868859 and gi 3868857 and Okamuro, J. K., et al., (1997) PNAS 94(13):7076-7081). AP2 plays an important role in the control of flower and seed development in Arabidopsis.

[0006] There is a great deal of interest in identifying the genes that encode proteins involved in transcriptional regulation in plants. These genes may be used in plant cells to control gene expression constitutively, in specific tissues or at various times during development. Accordingly, the availability of nucleic acid sequences encoding all or a portion of an ABI3, Vp1, RAV1 or RAV2 transcription factor would facilitate studies to better understand gene regulation in plants and provide genetic tools to enhance or otherwise alter the expression of genes controlled by ABI3, Vp1, RAV1 or RAV2 transcription factors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 68 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a Momordica ABI3 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2, corn ABI3 transcription factor polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:4 and 6, and a rice ABI3 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:8. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0008] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 160 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of corn FUSCA transcription factor polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:10 and 12. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0009] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids that has at least 85% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a rice RAV1 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 18 and a soybean RAV1 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:20. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0010] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 95 amino acids that has at least 85% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a corn RAV1 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0011] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a corn RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:24, a rice RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:26, a soybean RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:32 and a wheat RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:38. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0012] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 80 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a wheat RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0013] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 300 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a corn VP1 transcription factor polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:42 and 44. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising the complement of the nucleotide sequences described above.

[0014] The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of a least 50 amino acids that has at least 70% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a rice RAV1 of SEQ ID NO:16, a rice RAV2 of SEQ ID NO:28, a soybean RAV2 of SEQ ID NO:30, a wheat RAV2 of SEQ ID NO:34, a wheat RAV2 of SEQ ID NO:36 and a corn VP1 of SEQ ID NO:40.

[0015] It is preferred that the isolated polynucleotides of the claimed invention consists of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44. The present invention also relates to an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequences of at least one of 60 (preferably at least one of 40, most preferably at least one of 30) contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences.

[0016] The present invention relates to a chimeric gene comprising an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.

[0017] The present invention relates to an isolated host cell comprising a chimeric gene of the present invention or an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention. The host cell may be eukaryotic, such as a yeast or a plant cell, or prokaryotic, such as a bacterial cell. The present invention also relates to a virus, preferably a baculovirus, comprising an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention or a chimeric gene of the present invention.

[0018] The present invention relates to a process for producing an isolated host cell comprising a chimeric gene of the present invention or an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention, the process comprising either transforming or transfecting an isolated compatible host cell with a chimeric gene or isolated polynucleotide of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention relates to a ABI3 transcription factor polypeptide of at least 68 amino acids comprising at least 80% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, and 8.

[0020] The present invention relates to a FUSCA transcription factor polypeptide of at least 160 amino acids comprising at least 80% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:10 and 12.

[0021] The present invention relates to a RAV1 transcription factor polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids comprising at least 85% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:18 and 20.

[0022] The present invention relates to a RAV1 transcription factor polypeptide of at least 95 amino acids comprising at least 85% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14.

[0023] The present invention relates to a RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids comprising at least 80% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:24, 26, 32 and 38.

[0024] The present invention relates to a RAV2 transcription factor polypeptide of at least 80 amino acids comprising at least 80% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NOs:34.

[0025] The present invention relates to a VP1 transcription factor polypeptide of at least 300 amino acids comprising at least 80% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42 and 44.

[0026] The present invention relates to a polypeptide of at least 50 amino acids comprising at least 70% homology based on the Clustal method of alignment compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:16, 28, 30, 34, 36, and 40.

[0027] The present invention relates to a method of selecting an isolated polynucleotide that affects the level of expression of an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide in a plant cell, the method comprising the steps of:

[0028] constructing an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention or an isolated chimeric gene of the present invention;

[0029] introducing the isolated polynucleotide or the isolated chimeric gene into a plant cell;

[0030] measuring the level of an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide in the plant cell containing the isolated polynucleotide; and

[0031] comparing the level of an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide in the plant cell containing the isolated polynucleotide with the level of an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide in a plant cell that does not contain the isolated polynucleotide.

[0032] The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a nucleic acid fragment encoding a substantial portion of an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide gene, preferably a plant ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide gene, comprising the steps of: synthesizing an oligonucleotide primer comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 60 (preferably at least one of 40, most preferably at least one of 30) contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences; and amplifying a nucleic acid fragment (preferably a cDNA inserted in a cloning vector) using the oligonucleotide primer. The amplified nucleic acid fragment preferably will encode a portion of an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor amino acid sequence.

[0033] The present invention also relates to a method of obtaining a nucleic acid fragment encoding all or a substantial portion of the amino acid sequence encoding an ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factor polypeptide comprising the steps of: probing a cDNA or genomic library with an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention; identifying a DNA clone that hybridizes with an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention; isolating the identified DNA clone; and sequencing the cDNA or genomic fragment that comprises the isolated DNA clone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCE DESCRIPTIONS

[0034] The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying Sequence Listing which form a part of this application.

[0035] Table 1 lists the polypeptides that are described herein, the designation of the cDNA clones that comprise the nucleic acid fragments encoding polypeptides representing all or a substantial portion of these polypeptides, and the corresponding identifier (SEQ ID NO:) as used in the attached Sequence Listing. Table 1 also identifies the cDNA clones as individual ESTs (“EST”), the sequences of the entire cDNA inserts comprising the indicated cDNA clones (“FIS”), contigs assembled from two or more ESTs (“Contig”), contigs assembled from an FIS and one or more ESTs (“Contig*”), or sequences encoding the entire protein derived from an FIS, a contig, or an FIS and PCR (“CGS”). Nucleotide sequences, SEQ ID NOs:5, 11, 17, 19, 25, 31, 37 and 41 and amino acid sequences SEQ ID NOs:6, 12, 18, 20, 26, 32, 38 and 42 were determined by further sequence analysis of CDNA clones encoding the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:4, 10, 20, 26, 28, 34 and 40. Nucleotide SEQ ID NOs:3, 9, 15, 21, 27, 29, 35 and 39 and amino acid SEQ ID NOs:4, 10, 16, 22, 28, 30, 36 and 40 were presented in a U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/111,722, filed Dec. 9, 1998.

[0036] The sequence descriptions and Sequence Listing attached hereto comply with the rules governing nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disclosures in patent applications as set forth in 37 C.F.R. §1.821-1.825. TABLE 1 Transcription Factors SEQ ID NO: (Amino Protein Clone Designation (Nucleotide) Acid) ABI3 (seed-specific fds.pk0018.c9 (EST)  1  2 transcription factor) ABI3 (seed-specific Contig composed of:  3  4 transcription factor) cepe7.pk0003.f8 cepe7.pk0006.c5 ABI3 (seed-specific p0121.cfrmc12r (EST)  5  6 Transcription factor) ABI3 (seed-specific rca1n.pk024.h24 (EST)  7  8 transcription factor) FUSCA homolog Contig composed of:  9 10 cde1c.pk003.d19 (EST) cho1c.p0003.o18 (EST) FUSCA homolog cho1c.pk003.o18 (FIS) 11 12 RAV1 cpf1c.pk012.l20 13 14 RAV1 rl0n.pk090.o4 (EST) 15 16 RAV1 rl0n.pk090.o4 (FIS) 17 18 RAV1 Contig composed of: 19 20 sl2.pk0029.h7 (FIS) src2c.pk003.g7 src3c.pk020.g7 src3c.pk020.o1 RAV1 sl2.pk0029.h7 21 22 RAV2 cepe7.pk0019.d3 23 24 RAV2 Contig composed of: 25 26 rl0n.pk135.b9 rr1.pk079.m19 (FIS) RAV2 rr1.pk079.m19 27 28 RAV2 srr1c.pk001.h1 (EST) 29 30 RAV2 srr1c.pk001.h1 (FIS) 31 32 RAV2 Contig composed of: 33 34 wlm1.pk0022.d1 wlmk4.pk0023.h9 RAV2 wr1.pk0094.d12 35 36 RAV2 wr1.pk0094.d12 (FIS) 37 38 VP1 csi1n.pk0051 (FIS) 39 40 VP1 csi1n.pk0051.d1 41 42 VP1 Contig composed of: 43 44 p0026.ccrbd57r p0133.ctvas44r p0134.carab83r

[0037] The Sequence Listing contains the one letter code for nucleotide sequence characters and the three letter codes for amino acids as defined in conformity with the IUPAC-IUBMB standards described in Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3021-3030 (1985) and in the Biochemical J. 219 (No. 2):345-373 (1984) which are herein incorporated by reference. The symbols and format used for nucleotide and amino acid sequence data comply with the rules set forth in 37 C.F.R. §1.822.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] In the context of this disclosure, a number of terms shall be utilized. As used herein, a “polynucleotide” is a nucleotide sequence such as a nucleic acid fragment. A polynucleotide may be a polymer of RNA or DNA that is single- or double-stranded, that optionally contains synthetic, non-natural or altered nucleotide bases. A polynucleotide in the form of a polymer of DNA may be comprised of one or more segments of cDNA, genomic DNA, or synthetic DNA. An isolated polynucleotide of the present invention may include at least one of 60 contiguous nucleotides, preferably at least one of 40 contiguous nucleotides, most preferably one of at least 30 contiguous nucleotides, of the nucleic acid sequence of the SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, or the complement of such sequence.

[0039] As used herein, “contig” refers to a nucleotide sequence that is assembled from two or more constituent nucleotide sequences that share common or overlapping regions of sequence homology. For example, the nucleotide sequences of two or more nucleic acid fragments can be compared and aligned in order to identify common or overlapping sequences. Where common or overlapping sequences exist between two or more nucleic acid fragments, the sequences (and thus their corresponding nucleic acid fragments) can be assembled into a single contiguous nucleotide sequence.

[0040] As used herein, “substantially similar” refers to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases results in substitution of one or more amino acids, but do not affect the functional properties of the polypeptide encoded by the nucleotide sequence. “Substantially similar” also refers to nucleic acid fragments wherein changes in one or more nucleotide bases does not affect the ability of the nucleic acid fragment to mediate alteration of gene expression by gene silencing through for example antisense or co-suppression technology. “Substantially similar” also refers to modifications of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention such as deletion or insertion of one or more nucleotides that do not substantially affect the functional properties of the resulting transcript vis-a-vis the ability to mediate gene silencing or alteration of the functional properties of the resulting protein molecule. It is therefore understood that the invention encompasses more than the specific exemplary nucleotide or amino acid sequences and includes functional equivalents thereof.

[0041] Substantially similar nucleic acid fragments may be selected by screening nucleic acid fragments representing subfragments or modifications of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention, wherein one or more nucleotides are substituted, deleted and/or inserted, for their ability to affect the level of the polypeptide encoded by the unmodified nucleic acid fragment in a plant or plant cell. For example, a substantially similar nucleic acid fragment representing at least one of 30 contiguous nucleotides derived from the instant nucleic acid fragment can be constructed and introduced into a plant or plant cell. The level of the polypeptide encoded by the unmodified nucleic acid fragment present in a plant or plant cell exposed to the substantially similar nucleic fragment can then be compared to the level of the polypeptide in a plant or plant cell that is not exposed to the substantially similar nucleic acid fragment.

[0042] For example, it is well known in the art that antisense suppression and co-suppression of gene expression may be accomplished using nucleic acid fragments representing less than the entire coding region of a gene, and by nucleic acid fragments that do not share 100% sequence identity with the gene to be suppressed. Moreover, alterations in a nucleic acid fragment which result in the production of a chemically equivalent amino acid at a given site, but do not effect the functional properties of the encoded polypeptide, are well known in the art. Thus, a codon for the amino acid alanine, a hydrophobic amino acid, may be substituted by a codon encoding another less hydrophobic residue, such as glycine, or a more hydrophobic residue, such as valine, leucine, or isoleucine. Similarly, changes which result in substitution of one negatively charged residue for another, such as aspartic acid for glutamic acid, or one positively charged residue for another, such as lysine for arginine, can also be expected to produce a functionally equivalent product. Nucleotide changes which result in alteration of the N-terminal and C-terminal portions of the polypeptide molecule would also not be expected to alter the activity of the polypeptide. Each of the proposed modifications is well within the routine skill in the art, as is determination of retention of biological activity of the encoded products. Consequently, an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 60 (preferably at least one of 40, most preferably at least one of 30) contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, and the complement of such nucleotide sequences may be used in methods of selecting an isolated polynucleotide that affects the expression of a polypeptide in a plant cell. A method of selecting an isolated polynucleotide that affects the level of expression of a polypeptide in a host cell (eukaryotic, such as plant or yeast, prokaryotic such as bacterial, or viral) may comprise the steps of: constructing an isolated polynucleotide of the present invention or an isolated chimeric gene of the present invention; introducing the isolated polynucleotide or the isolated chimeric gene into a host cell; measuring the level a polypeptide in the host cell containing the isolated polynucleotide; and comparing the level of a polypeptide in the host cell containing the isolated polynucleotide with the level of a polypeptide in a host cell that does not contain the isolated polynucleotide.

[0043] Moreover, substantially similar nucleic acid fragments may also be characterized by their ability to hybridize. Estimates of such homology are provided by either DNA-DNA or DNA-RNA hybridization under conditions of stringency as is well understood by those skilled in the art (Hames and Higgins, Eds. (1985) Nucleic Acid Hybridisation, IRL Press, Oxford, U.K.). Stringency conditions can be adjusted to screen for moderately similar fragments, such as homologous sequences from distantly related organisms, to highly similar fragments, such as genes that duplicate functional enzymes from closely related organisms. Post-hybridization washes determine stringency conditions. One set of preferred conditions uses a series of washes starting with 6×SSC, 0.5% SDS at room temperature for 15 min, then repeated with 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 45° C. for 30 min, and then repeated twice with 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at 50° C. for 30 min. A more preferred set of stringent conditions uses higher temperatures in which the washes are identical to those above except for the temperature of the final two 30 min washes in 0.2×SSC, 0.5% SDS was increased to 60° C. Another preferred set of highly stringent conditions uses two final washes in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

[0044] Substantially similar nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention may also be characterized by the percent identity of the amino acid sequences that they encode to the amino acid sequences disclosed herein, as determined by algorithms commonly employed by those skilled in this art. Suitable nucleic acid fragments (isolated polynucleotides of the present invention) encode polypeptides that are at least about 70% identical, preferably at least about 80% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein. Preferred nucleic acid fragments encode amino acid sequences that are at least about 85% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein. More preferred nucleic acid fragments encode amino acid sequences that are at least about 90% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein. Most preferred are nucleic acid fragments that encode amino acid sequences that are at least about 95% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein. Suitable nucleic acid fragments not only have the above homologies but typically encode a polypeptide having at least about 50 amino acids, preferably at least about 100 amino acids, more preferably at least about 150 amino acids, still more preferably at least about 200 amino acids, and most preferably at least about 250 amino acids. Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations were performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences was performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5.

[0045] A “substantial portion” of an amino acid or nucleotide sequence comprises an amino acid or a nucleotide sequence that is sufficient to afford putative identification of the protein or gene that the amino acid or nucleotide sequence comprises. Amino acid and nucleotide sequences can be evaluated either manually by one skilled in the art, or by using computer-based sequence comparison and identification tools that employ algorithms such as BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool; Altschul et al. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410; see also www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/). In general, a sequence of ten or more contiguous amino acids or thirty or more contiguous nucleotides is necessary in order to putatively identify a polypeptide or nucleic acid sequence as homologous to a known protein or gene. Moreover, with respect to nucleotide sequences, gene-specific oligonucleotide probes comprising 30 or more contiguous nucleotides may be used in sequence-dependent methods of gene identification (e.g., Southern hybridization) and isolation (e.g., in situ hybridization of bacterial colonies or bacteriophage plaques). In addition, short oligonucleotides of 12 or more nucleotides may be used as amplification primers in PCR in order to obtain a particular nucleic acid fragment comprising the primers. Accordingly, a “substantial portion” of a nucleotide sequence comprises a nucleotide sequence that will afford specific identification and/or isolation of a nucleic acid fragment comprising the sequence. The instant specification teaches amino acid and nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides that comprise one or more particular plant proteins. The skilled artisan, having the benefit of the sequences as reported herein, may now use all or a substantial portion of the disclosed sequences for purposes known to those skilled in this art. Accordingly, the instant invention comprises the complete sequences as reported in the accompanying Sequence Listing, as well as substantial portions of those sequences as defined above.

[0046] “Codon degeneracy” refers to divergence in the genetic code permitting variation of the nucleotide sequence without effecting the amino acid sequence of an encoded polypeptide. Accordingly, the instant invention relates to any nucleic acid fragment comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes all or a substantial portion of the amino acid sequences set forth herein. The skilled artisan is well aware of the “codon-bias” exhibited by a specific host cell in usage of nucleotide codons to specify a given amino acid. Therefore, when synthesizing a nucleic acid fragment for improved expression in a host cell, it is desirable to design the nucleic acid fragment such that its frequency of codon usage approaches the frequency of preferred codon usage of the host cell.

[0047] “Synthetic nucleic acid fragments” can be assembled from oligonucleotide building blocks that are chemically synthesized using procedures known to those skilled in the art. These building blocks are ligated and annealed to form larger nucleic acid fragments which may then be enzymatically assembled to construct the entire desired nucleic acid fragment. “Chemically synthesized”, as related to nucleic acid fragment, means that the component nucleotides were assembled in vitro. Manual chemical synthesis of nucleic acid fragments may be accomplished using well established procedures, or automated chemical synthesis can be performed using one of a number of commercially available machines. Accordingly, the nucleic acid fragments can be tailored for optimal gene expression based on optimization of nucleotide sequence to reflect the codon bias of the host cell. The skilled artisan appreciates the likelihood of successful gene expression if codon usage is biased towards those codons favored by the host. Determination of preferred codons can be based on a survey of genes derived from the host cell where sequence information is available.

[0048] “Gene” refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein, including regulatory sequences preceding (5′ non-coding sequences) and following (3′ non-coding sequences) the coding sequence. “Native gene” refers to a gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences. “Chimeric gene” refers any gene that is not a native gene, comprising regulatory and coding sequences that are not found together in nature. Accordingly, a chimeric gene may comprise regulatory sequences and coding sequences that are derived from different sources, or regulatory sequences and coding sequences derived from the same source, but arranged in a manner different than that found in nature. “Endogenous gene” refers to a native gene in its natural location in the genome of an organism. A “foreign” gene refers to a gene not normally found in the host organism, but that is introduced into the host organism by gene transfer. Foreign genes can comprise native genes inserted into a non-native organism, or chimeric genes. A “transgene” is a gene that has been introduced into the genome by a transformation procedure.

[0049] “Coding sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence that codes for a specific amino acid sequence. “Regulatory sequences” refer to nucleotide sequences located upstream (5′ non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3′ non-coding sequences) of a coding sequence, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding sequence. Regulatory sequences may include promoters, translation leader sequences, introns, and polyadenylation recognition sequences.

[0050] “Promoter” refers to a nucleotide sequence capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. In general, a coding sequence is located 3′ to a promoter sequence. The promoter sequence consists of proximal and more distal upstream elements, the latter elements often referred to as enhancers. Accordingly, an “enhancer” is a nucleotide sequence which can stimulate promoter activity and may be an innate element of the promoter or a heterologous element inserted to enhance the level or tissue-specificity of a promoter. Promoters may be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic nucleotide segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters may direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental conditions. Promoters which cause a nucleic acid fragment to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as “constitutive promoters”. New promoters of various types useful in plant cells are constantly being discovered; numerous examples may be found in the compilation by Okamuro and Goldberg (1989) Biochemistry of Plants 15:1-82. It is further recognized that since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, nucleic acid fragments of different lengths may have identical promoter activity.

[0051] The “translation leader sequence” refers to a nucleotide sequence located between the promoter sequence of a gene and the coding sequence. The translation leader sequence is present in the fully processed mRNA upstream of the translation start sequence. The translation leader sequence may affect processing of the primary transcript to mRNA, mRNA stability or translation efficiency. Examples of translation leader sequences have been described (Turner and Foster (1995) Mol. Biotechnol. 3:225-236).

[0052] The “3′ non-coding sequences” refer to nucleotide sequences located downstream of a coding sequence and include polyadenylation recognition sequences and other sequences encoding regulatory signals capable of affecting mRNA processing or gene expression. The polyadenylation signal is usually characterized by affecting the addition of polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor. The use of different 3′ non-coding sequences is exemplified by Ingelbrecht et al. (1989) Plant Cell 1:671-680.

[0053] “RNA transcript” refers to the product resulting from RNA polymerase-catalyzed transcription of a DNA sequence. When the RNA transcript is a perfect complementary copy of the DNA sequence, it is referred to as the primary transcript or it may be a RNA sequence derived from posttranscriptional processing of the primary transcript and is referred to as the mature RNA. “Messenger RNA (mRNA)” refers to the RNA that is without introns and that can be translated into polypeptide by the cell. “cDNA” refers to a double-stranded DNA that is complementary to and derived from mRNA. “Sense” RNA refers to an RNA transcript that includes the mRNA and so can be translated into a polypeptide by the cell. “Antisense RNA” refers to an RNA transcript that is complementary to all or part of a target primary transcript or mRNA and that blocks the expression of a target gene (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,065, incorporated herein by reference). The complementarity of an antisense RNA may be with any part of the specific nucleotide sequence, i.e., at the 5′ non-coding sequence, 3′ non-coding sequence, introns, or the coding sequence. “Functional RNA” refers to sense RNA, antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA, or other RNA that may not be translated but yet has an effect on cellular processes.

[0054] The term “operably linked” refers to the association of two or more nucleic acid fragments on a single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is affected by the other. For example, a promoter is operably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of affecting the expression of that coding sequence (i.e., that the coding sequence is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding sequences can be operably linked to regulatory sequences in sense or antisense orientation.

[0055] The term “expression”, as used herein, refers to the transcription and stable accumulation of sense (mRNA) or antisense RNA derived from the nucleic acid fragment of the invention. Expression may also refer to translation of mRNA into a polypeptide. “Antisense inhibition” refers to the production of antisense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of the target protein. “Overexpression” refers to the production of a gene product in transgenic organisms that exceeds levels of production in normal or non-transformed organisms. “Co-suppression” refers to the production of sense RNA transcripts capable of suppressing the expression of identical or substantially similar foreign or endogenous genes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,020, incorporated herein by reference).

[0056] “Altered levels” refers to the production of gene product(s) in transgenic organisms in amounts or proportions that differ from that of normal or non-transformed organisms.

[0057] “Mature” protein refers to a post-translationally processed polypeptide; i.e., one from which any pre- or propeptides present in the primary translation product have been removed. “Precursor” protein refers to the primary product of translation of mRNA; i.e., with pre- and propeptides still present. Pre- and propeptides may be but are not limited to intracellular localization signals.

[0058] “Transformation” refers to the transfer of a nucleic acid fragment into the genome of a host organism, resulting in genetically stable inheritance. Host organisms containing the transformed nucleic acid fragments are referred to as “transgenic” organisms. Examples of methods of plant transformation include Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (De Blaere et al. (1987) Meth. Enzymol. 143:277) and particle-accelerated or “gene gun” transformation technology (Klein et al. (1987) Nature (London) 327:70-73; U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050, incorporated herein by reference).

[0059] Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used herein are well known in the art and are described more fully in Sambrook et al. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: Cold Spring Harbor, 1989 (hereinafter “Maniatis”).

[0060] Nucleic acid fragments encoding at least a portion of several transcription factors have been isolated and identified by comparison of random plant cDNA sequences to public databases containing nucleotide and protein sequences using the BLAST algorithms well known to those skilled in the art. The nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention may be used to isolate cDNAs and genes encoding homologous proteins from the same or other plant species. Isolation of homologous genes using sequence-dependent protocols is well known in the art. Examples of sequence-dependent protocols include, but are not limited to, methods of nucleic acid hybridization, and methods of DNA and RNA amplification as exemplified by various uses of nucleic acid amplification technologies (e.g., polymerase chain reaction, ligase chain reaction).

[0061] For example, genes encoding other ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factors, either as cDNAs or genomic DNAs, could be isolated directly by using all or a portion of the instant nucleic acid fragments as DNA hybridization probes to screen libraries from any desired plant employing methodology well known to those skilled in the art. Specific oligonucleotide probes based upon the instant nucleic acid sequences can be designed and synthesized by methods known in the art (Maniatis). Moreover, the entire sequences can be used directly to synthesize DNA probes by methods known to the skilled artisan such as random primer DNA labeling, nick translation, or end-labeling techniques, or RNA probes using available in vitro transcription systems. In addition, specific primers can be designed and used to amplify a part or all of the instant sequences. The resulting amplification products can be labeled directly during amplification reactions or labeled after amplification reactions, and used as probes to isolate full length cDNA or genomic fragments under conditions of appropriate stringency.

[0062] In addition, two short segments of the instant nucleic acid fragments may be used in polymerase chain reaction protocols to amplify longer nucleic acid fragments encoding homologous genes from DNA or RNA. The polymerase chain reaction may also be performed on a library of cloned nucleic acid fragments wherein the sequence of one primer is derived from the instant nucleic acid fragments, and the sequence of the other primer takes advantage of the presence of the polyadenylic acid tracts to the 3′ end of the mRNA precursor encoding plant genes. Alternatively, the second primer sequence may be based upon sequences derived from the cloning vector. For example, the skilled artisan can follow the RACE protocol (Frohman et al. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:8998-9002) to generate cDNAs by using PCR to amplify copies of the region between a single point in the transcript and the 3′ or 5′ end. Primers oriented in the 3′ and 5′ directions can be designed from the instant sequences. Using commercially available 3′ RACE or 5′ RACE systems (BRL), specific 3′ or 5′ cDNA fragments can be isolated (Ohara et al. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:5673-5677; Loh et al. (1989) Science 243:217-220). Products generated by the 3′ and 5′ RACE procedures can be combined to generate full-length cDNAs (Frohman and Martin (1989) Techniques 1:165). Consequently, a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 60 (preferably one of at least 40, most preferably one of at least 30) contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences may be used in such methods to obtain a nucleic acid fragment encoding a substantial portion of an amino acid sequence of a polypeptide. The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a nucleic acid fragment encoding a substantial portion of a polypeptide of a gene (such as ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 transcription factors) preferably a substantial portion of a plant polypeptide of a gene, comprising the steps of: synthesizing an oligonucleotide primer comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 60 (preferably at least one of 40, most preferably at least one of 30) contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences; and amplifying a nucleic acid fragment (preferably a cDNA inserted in a cloning vector) using the oligonucleotide primer. The amplified nucleic acid fragment preferably will encode a portion of a polypeptide.

[0063] Availability of the instant nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences facilitates immunological screening of cDNA expression libraries. Synthetic peptides representing portions of the instant amino acid sequences may be synthesized. These peptides can be used to immunize animals to produce polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies with specificity for peptides or proteins comprising the amino acid sequences. These antibodies can be then be used to screen cDNA expression libraries to isolate full-length cDNA clones of interest (Lerner (1984) Adv. Immunol. 36:1-34; Maniatis).

[0064] The nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention may be used to create transgenic plants in which the disclosed polypeptides are present at higher or lower levels than normal or in cell types or developmental stages in which they are not normally found. This would have the effect of altering the level of ABI3, FUSCA, RAV1, RAV2 or VP1 controlled transcription in those cells.

[0065] Overexpression of the proteins of the instant invention may be accomplished by first constructing a chimeric gene in which the coding region is operably linked to a promoter capable of directing expression of a gene in the desired tissues at the desired stage of development. For reasons of convenience, the chimeric gene may comprise promoter sequences and translation leader sequences derived from the same genes. 3′ Non-coding sequences encoding transcription termination signals may also be provided. The instant chimeric gene may also comprise one or more introns in order to facilitate gene expression.

[0066] Plasmid vectors comprising the instant chimeric gene can then be constructed. The choice of plasmid vector is dependent upon the method that will be used to transform host plants. The skilled artisan is well aware of the genetic elements that must be present on the plasmid vector in order to successfully transform, select and propagate host cells containing the chimeric gene. The skilled artisan will also recognize that different independent transformation events will result in different levels and patterns of expression (Jones et al. (1985) EMBO J. 4:2411-2418; De Almeida et al. (1989) Mol. Gen. Genetics 218:78-86), and thus that multiple events must be screened in order to obtain lines displaying the desired expression level and pattern. Such screening may be accomplished by Southern analysis of DNA, Northern analysis of mRNA expression, Western analysis of protein expression, or phenotypic analysis.

[0067] It may also be desirable to reduce or eliminate expression of genes encoding the instant polypeptides in plants for some applications. In order to accomplish this, a chimeric gene designed for co-suppression of the instant polypeptide can be constructed by linking a gene or gene fragment encoding that polypeptide to plant promoter sequences. Alternatively, a chimeric gene designed to express antisense RNA for all or part of the instant nucleic acid fragment can be constructed by linking the gene or gene fragment in reverse orientation to plant promoter sequences. Either the co-suppression or antisense chimeric genes could be introduced into plants via transformation wherein expression of the corresponding endogenous genes are reduced or eliminated.

[0068] Molecular genetic solutions to the generation of plants with altered gene expression have a decided advantage over more traditional plant breeding approaches. Changes in plant phenotypes can be produced by specifically inhibiting expression of one or more genes by antisense inhibition or cosuppression (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,190,931, 5,107,065 and 5,283,323). An antisense or cosuppression construct would act as a dominant negative regulator of gene activity. While conventional mutations can yield negative regulation of gene activity these effects are most likely recessive. The dominant negative regulation available with a transgenic approach may be advantageous from a breeding perspective. In addition, the ability to restrict the expression of specific phenotype to the reproductive tissues of the plant by the use of tissue specific promoters may confer agronomic advantages relative to conventional mutations which may have an effect in all tissues in which a mutant gene is ordinarily expressed.

[0069] The person skilled in the art will know that special considerations are associated with the use of antisense or cosuppression technologies in order to reduce expression of particular genes. For example, the proper level of expression of sense or antisense genes may require the use of different chimeric genes utilizing different regulatory elements known to the skilled artisan. Once transgenic plants are obtained by one of the methods described above, it will be necessary to screen individual transgenics for those that most effectively display the desired phenotype. Accordingly, the skilled artisan will develop methods for screening large numbers of transformants. The nature of these screens will generally be chosen on practical grounds, and is not an inherent part of the invention. For example, one can screen by looking for changes in gene expression by using antibodies specific for the protein encoded by the gene being suppressed, or one could establish assays that specifically measure enzyme activity. A preferred method will be one which allows large numbers of samples to be processed rapidly, since it will be expected that a large number of transformants will be negative for the desired phenotype.

[0070] The instant polypeptides (or portions thereof) may be produced in heterologous host cells, particularly in the cells of microbial hosts, and can be used to prepare antibodies to the these proteins by methods well known to those skilled in the art. The antibodies are useful for detecting the polypeptides of the instant invention in situ in cells or in vitro in cell extracts. Preferred heterologous host cells for production of the instant polypeptides are microbial hosts. Microbial expression systems and expression vectors containing regulatory sequences that direct high level expression of foreign proteins are well known to those skilled in the art. Any of these could be used to construct a chimeric gene for production of the instant polypeptides. This chimeric gene could then be introduced into appropriate microorganisms via transformation to provide high level expression of the encoded transcription factor. An example of a vector for high level expression of the instant polypeptides in a bacterial host is provided (Example 10).

[0071] All or a substantial portion of the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention may also be used as probes for genetically and physically mapping the genes that they are a part of, and as markers for traits linked to those genes. Such information may be useful in plant breeding in order to develop lines with desired phenotypes. For example, the instant nucleic acid fragments may be used as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. Southern blots (Maniatis) of restriction-digested plant genomic DNA may be probed with the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention. The resulting banding patterns may then be subjected to genetic analyses using computer programs such as MapMaker (Lander et al. (1987) Genomics 1:174-181) in order to construct a genetic map. In addition, the nucleic acid fragments of the instant invention may be used to probe Southern blots containing restriction endonuclease-treated genomic DNAs of a set of individuals representing parent and progeny of a defined genetic cross. Segregation of the DNA polymorphisms is noted and used to calculate the position of the instant nucleic acid sequence in the genetic map previously obtained using this population (Botstein et al. (1980) Am. J. Hum. Genet. 32:314-331).

[0072] The production and use of plant gene-derived probes for use in genetic mapping is described in Bernatzky and Tanksley (1986) Plant Mol. Biol. Reporter 4:37-41. Numerous publications describe genetic mapping of specific cDNA clones using the methodology outlined above or variations thereof. For example, F2 intercross populations, backcross populations, randomly mated populations, near isogenic lines, and other sets of individuals may be used for mapping. Such methodologies are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0073] Nucleic acid probes derived from the instant nucleic acid sequences may also be used for physical mapping (i.e., placement of sequences on physical maps; see Hoheisel et al. In: Nonmammalian Genomic Analysis: A Practical Guide, Academic press 1996, pp. 319-346, and references cited therein).

[0074] In another embodiment, nucleic acid probes derived from the instant nucleic acid sequences may be used in direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) mapping (Trask (1991) Trends Genet. 7:149-154). Although current methods of FISH mapping favor use of large clones (several to several hundred KB; see Laan et al. (1995) Genome Res. 5:13-20), improvements in sensitivity may allow performance of FISH mapping using shorter probes.

[0075] A variety of nucleic acid amplification-based methods of genetic and physical mapping may be carried out using the instant nucleic acid sequences. Examples include allele-specific amplification (Kazazian (1989) J. Lab. Clin. Med. 11:95-96), polymorphism of PCR-amplified fragments (CAPS; Sheffield et al. (1993) Genomics 16:325-332), allele-specific ligation (Landegren et al. (1988) Science 241:1077-1080), nucleotide extension reactions (Sokolov (1990) Nucleic Acid Res. 18:3671), Radiation Hybrid Mapping (Walter et al. (1997) Nat. Genet. 7:22-28) and Happy Mapping (Dear and Cook (1989) Nucleic Acid Res. 17:6795-6807). For these methods, the sequence of a nucleic acid fragment is used to design and produce primer pairs for use in the amplification reaction or in primer extension reactions. The design of such primers is well known to those skilled in the art. In methods employing PCR-based genetic mapping, it may be necessary to identify DNA sequence differences between the parents of the mapping cross in the region corresponding to the instant nucleic acid sequence. This, however, is generally not necessary for mapping methods.

[0076] Loss of function mutant phenotypes may be identified for the instant cDNA clones either by targeted gene disruption protocols or by identifying specific mutants for these genes contained in a maize population carrying mutations in all possible genes (Ballinger and Benzer (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 86:9402-9406; Koes et al. (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 92:8149-8153; Bensen et al. (1995) Plant Cell 7:75-84). The latter approach may be accomplished in two ways. First, short segments of the instant nucleic acid fragments may be used in polymerase chain reaction protocols in conjunction with a mutation tag sequence primer on DNAs prepared from a population of plants in which Mutator transposons or some other mutation-causing DNA element has been introduced (see Bensen, supra). The amplification of a specific DNA fragment with these primers indicates the insertion of the mutation tag element in or near the plant gene encoding the instant polypeptides. Alternatively, the instant nucleic acid fragment may be used as a hybridization probe against PCR amplification products generated from the mutation population using the mutation tag sequence primer in conjunction with an arbitrary genomic site primer, such as that for a restriction enzyme site-anchored synthetic adaptor. With either method, a plant containing a mutation in the endogenous gene encoding the instant polypeptides can be identified and obtained. This mutant plant can then be used to determine or confirm the natural function of the instant polypeptides disclosed herein.

EXAMPLES

[0077] The present invention is further defined in the following Examples, in which all parts and percentages are by weight and degrees are Celsius, unless otherwise stated. It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Example 1 Composition of cDNA Libraries; Isolation and Sequencing of CDNA Clones

[0078] cDNA libraries representing mRNAs from various corn, rice, soybean and wheat tissues were prepared. The characteristics of the libraries are described below. TABLE 2 cDNA Libraries from Corn, Rice, Soybean and Wheat Library Tissue Clone cde1c Corn developing embryo 20 days after cde1c.pk003.d19 pollination cepe7 Corn 7 Day Old Epicotyl From Etiolated cepe7.pk0003.f8 Seedling cepe7.pk0006.c5 cepe7.pk0019.d3 cho1c Corn embryo 20 days after pollenation cho1c.pk003.o18 cpf1c Corn pooled BMS treated with chemicals cpf1c.pk012.l20 related to protein synthesis** csi1n Corn Silk* csi1n.pk0051.d1 fds Momordica charantia Developing Seed fds.pk0018.c9 p0026 Corn regenerating callus 5 days after auxin p0026.ccrbd57r removal p0121 Corn shank tissue collected from ears 5 days p0121.cfrmc12r after pollnation p0133 Corn pooled meristem tissue at growth stages p0133.ctvas44r v4, v6 and v8**** P0134 Corn callus at 10 days and 14 days pooled p0134.carab83r tissue rca1n Rice callus* rca1n.pk024.h24 rl0n Rice 15 day old leaf* rl0n.pk135.b9 rl0n.pk090.o4 rlr2 Rice leaf 15 days after germination, 2 hours rlr2.pk0028.c2 after infection of strain Magaporthe grisea 4360-R-62 (AVR2-YAMO); Resistant rr1 Rice root of two week old developing rr1.pk079.m19 seedling rsr9n Rice leaf 15 days after germination harvested rsr9n.pk001.k7 2-72 hours following infection with Magnaporta grisea (4360-R-62 and 4360-R067)* sl2 Soybean t-week-old developing seedlings sl2.pk0029.h7 treated with 2.5 ppm chlorimuron src2c Soybean 8 day old root infected with cyst src2c.pk003.g7 nematode Heterodera glycenis src3c Soybean 8 day old root infected with cyst src3c.pk020.g7 nematode Heterodera glycenis src3c.pk020.o1 srr2c Soybean 8-day-old root srr2c.pk003.h23 srr1c Soybean 8-Day-Old Root srr1c.pk001.h1 wlm1 Wheat seedlings 1 hour after inoculation wlm1.pk0022.d1 with Erysiphe graminis f. sp tritici wlmk4 Wheat seedlings 4 hours after inoculation wlmk4.pk0023.h9 with Erysiphe graminis f. sp tritici and treatment with erbicide*** wr1 Wheat root from 7 day old seedling wr1.pk0094.d12

[0079] cDNA libraries may be prepared by any one of many methods available. For example, the cDNAs may be introduced into plasmid vectors by first preparing the cDNA libraries in Uni-ZAPTM XR vectors according to the manufacturer's protocol (Stratagene Cloning Systems, La Jolla, Calif.). The Uni-ZAP™ XR libraries are converted into plasmid libraries according to the protocol provided by Stratagene. Upon conversion, cDNA inserts will be contained in the plasmid vector pBluescript. In addition, the cDNAs may be introduced directly into precut Bluescript II SK(+) vectors (Stratagene) using T4 DNA ligase (New England Biolabs), followed by transfection into DH10B cells according to the manufacturer's protocol (GIBCO BRL Products). Once the cDNA inserts are in plasmid vectors, plasmid DNAs are prepared from randomly picked bacterial colonies containing recombinant pBluescript plasmids, or the insert CDNA sequences are amplified via polymerase chain reaction using primers specific for vector sequences flanking the inserted cDNA sequences. Amplified insert DNAs or plasmid DNAs are sequenced in dye-primer sequencing reactions to generate partial cDNA sequences (expressed sequence tags or “ESTs”; see Adams et al., (1991) Science 252:1651-1656). The resulting ESTs are analyzed using a Perkin Elmer Model 377 fluorescent sequencer.

Example 2 Identification of cDNA Clones

[0080] cDNA clones encoding transcription factors were identified by conducting BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool; Altschul et al. (1993) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410; see also www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/) searches for similarity to sequences contained in the BLAST “nr” database (comprising all non-redundant GenBank CDS translations, sequences derived from the 3-dimensional structure Brookhaven Protein Data Bank, the last major release of the SWISS-PROT protein sequence database, EMBL, and DDBJ databases). The cDNA sequences obtained in Example 1 were analyzed for similarity to all publicly available DNA sequences contained in the “nr” database using the BLASTN algorithm provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The DNA sequences were translated in all reading frames and compared for similarity to all publicly available protein sequences contained in the “nr” database using the BLASTX algorithm (Gish and States (1993) Nat. Genet. 3:266-272) provided by the NCBI. For convenience, the P-value (probability) of observing a match of a cDNA sequence to a sequence contained in the searched databases merely by chance as calculated by BLAST are reported herein as “pLog” values, which represent the negative of the logarithm of the reported P-value. Accordingly, the greater the pLog value, the greater the likelihood that the cDNA sequence and the BLAST “hit” represent homologous proteins.

Example 3 Characterization of CDNA Clones Encoding ABI3 Seed Specific Transcription Factor

[0081] The BLASTX search using the EST sequences from clones listed in Table 3 revealed similarity of the polypeptides encoded by the cDNAs to ABI3 from Populus balsamifera (NCBI Identifier No. gi 2661460) and Arabidopsis thaliana (NCBI Identifier No. gi 584707). Shown in Table 3 are the BLAST results for individual ESTs (“EST”), the sequences of the entire cDNA inserts comprising the indicated cDNA clones (“FIS”), contigs assembled from two or more ESTs (“Contig”), contigs assembled from an FIS and one or more ESTs (“Contig*”), or sequences encoding the entire protein derived from an FIS, a contig, or an FIS and PCR (“CGS”): TABLE 3 BLAST Results for Sequences Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Populus balsamifera and Arabidopsis thaliana ABI3 Seed Specific Transcription Factor Clone Status BLAST pLog Score fds.pk0018.c9 EST 29.70 (gi 2661460) Contig composed of: Contig 20.70 (gi 584707)  cepe7.pk0003.f8 cepe7.pk0006.c5 p0121.cfrmc12r EST 28.22 (gi 584707)  rca1n.pk024.h24 EST 35.52 (gi 584707) 

[0082] The data in Table 4 represents a calculation of the percent identity of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6 and 8 and the Populus balsamifera and Arabidopsis thaliana sequences. TABLE 4 Percent Identity of Amino Acid Sequences Deduced From the Nucleotide Sequences of cDNA Clones Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Populus balsamifera and Arabidopsis thaliana ABI3 Seed Specific Transcription Factor SEQ ID NO. Percent Identity to 2 38% (gi 2661460) 4 48% (gi 584707)  6 55% (gi 584707)  8 49% (gi 584707) 

[0083] Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations were performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences was performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. Sequence alignments and BLAST scores and probabilities indicate that the nucleic acid fragments comprising the instant cDNA clones encode a substantial portion of an ABI3 transcription factor. These sequences represent the first Momordica, corn and rice sequences encoding ABI3.

Example 4 Characterization of cDNA Clones Encoding FUSCA Transcription Factor

[0084] The BLASTX search using the EST sequences from clones listed in Table 5 revealed similarity of the polypeptides encoded by the cDNAs to a FUSCA transcription factor from Arabidopsis thaliana (NCBI Identifier No. gi 3582520). Shown in Table 5 are the BLAST results for individual ESTs (“EST”), the sequences of the entire cDNA inserts comprising the indicated CDNA clones (“FIS”), contigs assembled from two or more ESTs (“Contig”), contigs assembled from an FIS and one or more ESTs (“Contig*”), or sequences encoding the entire protein derived from an FIS, a contig, or an FIS and PCR (“CGS”): TABLE 5 BLAST Results for Sequences Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana FUSCA Transcription Factor BLAST pLog Score Clone Status gi 3582520 Contig composed of: Contig 19.70 cde1c.pk003.d19 cho1c.pk003.o18 cho1c.pk003.o18 FIS 34.70

[0085] The data in Table 6 represents a calculation of the percent identity of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:10 and 12 and the Arabidopsis thaliana sequence. TABLE 6 Percent Identity of Amino Acid Sequences Deduced From the Nucleotide Sequences of cDNA Clones Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana FUSCA Transcription Factor Percent Identity to SEQ ID NO. gi 3582520 10 34% 12 30%

[0086] Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations were performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences was performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. Sequence alignments and BLAST scores and probabilities indicate that the nucleic acid fragments comprising the instant cDNA clones encode a substantial portion of a FUSCA transcription factor. These sequences represent the first corn sequences encoding FUSCA transcription factors.

Example 5 Characterization of cDNA Clones Encoding RAV1 Transcription Factor Protein

[0087] The BLASTX search using the EST sequences from clones listed in Table 7 revealed similarity of the polypeptides encoded by the cDNAs to RAV1 transcription factor proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (NCBI Identifier No. gi 3868859). Shown in Table 7 are the BLAST results for individual ESTs (“EST”), the sequences of the entire cDNA inserts comprising the indicated cDNA clones (“FIS”), contigs assembled from two or more ESTs (“Contig”), contigs assembled from an FIS and one or more ESTs (“Contig*”), or sequences encoding the entire protein derived from an FIS, a contig, or an FIS and PCR (“CGS”): TABLE 7 BLAST Results for Sequences Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana RAV1 Transcription Factor Protein BLAST pLog Score to Clone Status gi 3868859 cpf1c.pk012.l20 EST  7.52 rl0n.pk090.o4 (FIS) FIS 40.15 Contig composed of: Contig 103.00  sl2.pk0029.h7 src2c.pk003.g7 src3c.pk020.g7 src3c.pk020.o1

[0088] The data in Table 8 represents a calculation of the percent identity of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:14, 18 and 20 and the Arabidopsis thaliana sequence. TABLE 8 Percent Identity of Amino Acid Sequences Deduced From the Nucleotide Sequences of cDNA Clones Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana RAV1 Transcription Factor Protein Percent Identity to SEQ ID NO. gi 3868859 14 41% 18 42% 20 51%

[0089] Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations were performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences was performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. Sequence alignments and BLAST scores and probabilities indicate that the nucleic acid fragments comprising the instant cDNA clones encode a substantial portion of a RAV1 transcription factor. These sequences represent the first corn, rice and soybean sequences encoding RAV1 transcription factors.

Example 6 Characterization of cDNA Clones Encoding RAV2 Transcription Factor Protein

[0090] The BLASTX search using the EST sequences from clones listed in Table 9 revealed similarity of the polypeptides encoded by the cDNAs to RAV2 transcription factor from Arabidopsis thaliana (NCBI Identifier No. gi 3868859). Shown in Table 9 are the BLAST results for individual ESTs (“EST”), the sequences of the entire cDNA inserts comprising the indicated cDNA clones (“FIS”), contigs assembled from two or more ESTs (“Contig”), contigs assembled from an FIS and one or more ESTs (“Contig*”), or sequences encoding the entire protein derived from an FIS, a contig, or an FIS and PCR (“CGS”): TABLE 9 BLAST Results for Sequences Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana RAV2 Transcription Factor Protein BLAST pLog Score Clone Status gi 3868859 cepe7.pk0019.d3 EST 82.30 Contig composed of: Contig 60.30 rl0n.pk135.b9 rr1.pk079.m19 srr1c.pk001.h1 FIS 102.00  Contig composed of: Contig  8.70 wlm1.pk0022.d1 wlmk4.pk0023.h9 wr1.pk0094.d12 FIS 42.04

[0091] The data in Table 10 represents a calculation of the percent identity of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:24, 26, 32, 34 and 38 and the Arabidopsis thaliana sequence. TABLE 10 Percent Identity of Amino Acid Sequences Deduced From the Nucleotide Sequences of cDNA Clones Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana RAV2 Transcription Factor Protein Percent Identity to SEQ ID NO. gi 3868859 24 46% 26 44% 32 52% 34 38% 38 44%

[0092] Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations were performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences was performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. Sequence alignments and BLAST scores and probabilities indicate that the nucleic acid fragments comprising the instant CDNA clones encode a substantial portion of a RAV2 transcription factor. These sequences represent the first corn, rice, soybean and wheat sequences encoding RAV2 transcription factors.

Example 7 Characterization of cDNA Clones Encoding VP1 Transcription Factor Proteins

[0093] The BLASTX search using the EST sequences from clones listed in Table 11 revealed similarity of the polypeptides encoded by the cDNAs to VP1 transcription factor proteins from Arabidopsis thaliana (NCBI Identifier No. gi 1946371). Shown in Table 11 are the BLAST results for individual ESTs (“EST”), the sequences of the entire CDNA inserts comprising the indicated cDNA clones (“FIS”), contigs assembled from two or more ESTs (“Contig”), contigs assembled from an FIS and one or more ESTs (“Contig*”), or sequences encoding the entire protein derived from an FIS, a contig, or an FIS and PCR (“CGS”): TABLE 11 BLAST Results for Sequences Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana VP1 Transcription Factor Protein BLAST pLog Score to Clone Status gi 1946371 csi1n.pk0051.d1 FIS 135.00 Contig composed of: Contig 102.00 p0026.ccrbd57r p0133.ctvas44r p0134.carab83r

[0094] The data in Table 12 represents a calculation of the percent identity of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs:42 and 44 and the Arabidopsis thaliana sequence. TABLE 12 Percent Identity of Amino Acid Sequences Deduced From the Nucleotide Sequences of cDNA Clones Encoding Polypeptides Homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana VP1 Transcription Factor Protein Percent Identity to SEQ ID NO. gi 1946371 42 38% 44 53%

[0095] Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations were performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignment of the sequences was performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=10, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=10). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WINDOW=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. Sequence alignments and BLAST scores and probabilities indicate that the nucleic acid fragments comprising the instant cDNA clones encode a substantial portion of a VP1 transcription factor protein. These sequences represent the first corn sequences encoding VP1 transcription factors.

Example 8 Expression of Chimeric Genes in Monocot Cells

[0096] A chimeric gene comprising a cDNA encoding the instant polypeptides in sense orientation with respect to the maize 27 kD zein promoter that is located 5′ to the cDNA fragment, and the 10 kD zein 3′ end that is located 3′ to the cDNA fragment, can be constructed. The cDNA fragment of this gene may be generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cDNA clone using appropriate oligonucleotide primers. Cloning sites (NcoI or SmaI) can be incorporated into the oligonucleotides to provide proper orientation of the DNA fragment when inserted into the digested vector pML103 as described below. Amplification is then performed in a standard PCR. The amplified DNA is then digested with restriction enzymes NcoI and SmaI and fractionated on an agarose gel. The appropriate band can be isolated from the gel and combined with a 4.9 kb NcoI-SmaI fragment of the plasmid pML103. Plasmid pML103 has been deposited under the terms of the Budapest Treaty at ATCC (American Type Culture Collection, 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209), and bears accession number ATCC 97366. The DNA segment from pML103 contains a 1.05 kb SalI-NcoI promoter fragment of the maize 27 kD zein gene and a 0.96 kb SmaI-SalI fragment from the 3′ end of the maize 10 kD zein gene in the vector pGem9Zf(+) (Promega). Vector and insert DNA can be ligated at 15° C. overnight, essentially as described (Maniatis). The ligated DNA may then be used to transform E. coli XL1-Blue (Epicurian Coli XL-1 Blue™; Stratagene). Bacterial transformants can be screened by restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA and limited nucleotide sequence analysis using the dideoxy chain termination method (Sequenase™ DNA Sequencing Kit; U.S. Biochemical). The resulting plasmid construct would comprise a chimeric gene encoding, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, the maize 27 kD zein promoter, a cDNA fragment encoding the instant polypeptides, and the 10 kD zein 3′ region.

[0097] The chimeric gene described above can then be introduced into corn cells by the following procedure. Immature corn embryos can be dissected from developing caryopses derived from crosses of the inbred corn lines H99 and LH132. The embryos are isolated 10 to 11 days after pollination when they are 1.0 to 1.5 mm long. The embryos are then placed with the axis-side facing down and in contact with agarose-solidified N6 medium (Chu et al. (1975) Sci. Sin. Peking 18:659-668). The embryos are kept in the dark at 27° C. Friable embryogenic callus consisting of undifferentiated masses of cells with somatic proembryoids and embryoids borne on suspensor structures proliferates from the scutellum of these immature embryos. The embryogenic callus isolated from the primary explant can be cultured on N6 medium and sub-cultured on this medium every 2 to 3 weeks.

[0098] The plasmid, p35 S/Ac (obtained from Dr. Peter Eckes, Hoechst Ag, Frankfurt, Germany) may be used in transformation experiments in order to provide for a selectable marker. This plasmid contains the Pat gene (see European Patent Publication 0 242 236) which encodes phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT). The enzyme PAT confers resistance to herbicidal glutamine synthetase inhibitors such as phosphinothricin. The pat gene in p35S/Ac is under the control of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (Odell et al. (1985) Nature 313:810-812) and the 3′ region of the nopaline synthase gene from the T-DNA of the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

[0099] The particle bombardment method (Klein et al. (1987) Nature 327:70-73) may be used to transfer genes to the callus culture cells. According to this method, gold particles (1 μm in diameter) are coated with DNA using the following technique. Ten μg of plasmid DNAs are added to 50 μL of a suspension of gold particles (60 mg per mL). Calcium chloride (50 μL of a 2.5 M solution) and spermidine free base (20 μL of a 1.0 M solution) are added to the particles. The suspension is vortexed during the addition of these solutions. After 10 minutes, the tubes are briefly centrifuged (5 sec at 15,000 rpm) and the supernatant removed. The particles are resuspended in 200 μL of absolute ethanol, centrifuged again and the supernatant removed. The ethanol rinse is performed again and the particles resuspended in a final volume of 30 μL of ethanol. An aliquot (5 μL) of the DNA-coated gold particles can be placed in the center of a Kapton™ flying disc (Bio-Rad Labs). The particles are then accelerated into the corn tissue with a Biolistic™ PDS-1000/He (Bio-Rad Instruments, Hercules Calif.), using a helium pressure of 1000 psi, a gap distance of 0.5 cm and a flying distance of 1.0 cm.

[0100] For bombardment, the embryogenic tissue is placed on filter paper over agarose-solidified N6 medium. The tissue is arranged as a thin lawn and covered a circular area of about 5 cm in diameter. The petri dish containing the tissue can be placed in the chamber of the PDS-1000/He approximately 8 cm from the stopping screen. The air in the chamber is then evacuated to a vacuum of 28 inches of Hg. The macrocarrier is accelerated with a helium shock wave using a rupture membrane that bursts when the He pressure in the shock tube reaches 1000 psi.

[0101] Seven days after bombardment the tissue can be transferred, to N6 medium that contains gluphosinate (2 mg per liter) and lacks casein or proline. The tissue continues to grow slowly on this medium. After an additional 2 weeks the tissue can be transferred to fresh N6 medium containing gluphosinate. After 6 weeks, areas of about 1 cm in diameter of actively growing callus can be identified on some of the plates containing the glufosinate-supplemented medium. These calli may continue to grow when sub-cultured on the selective medium.

[0102] Plants can be regenerated from the transgenic callus by first transferring clusters of tissue to N6 medium supplemented with 0.2 mg per liter of 2,4-D. After two weeks the tissue can be transferred to regeneration medium (Fromm et al. (1990) Bio/Technology 8:833-839).

Example 9 Expression of Chimeric Genes in Dicot Cells

[0103] A seed-specific expression cassette composed of the promoter and transcription terminator from the gene encoding the β subunit of the seed storage protein phaseolin from the bean Phaseolus vulgaris (Doyle et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261:9228-9238) can be used for expression of the instant polypeptides in transformed soybean. The phaseolin cassette includes about 500 nucleotides upstream (5′) from the translation initiation codon and about 1650 nucleotides downstream (3′) from the translation stop codon of phaseolin. Between the 5′ and 3′ regions are the unique restriction endonuclease sites Nco I (which includes the ATG translation initiation codon), Sma I, Kpn I and Xba I. The entire cassette is flanked by Hind III sites.

[0104] The cDNA fragment of this gene may be generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cDNA clone using appropriate oligonucleotide primers. Cloning sites can be incorporated into the oligonucleotides to provide proper orientation of the DNA fragment when inserted into the expression vector. Amplification is then performed as described above, and the isolated fragment is inserted into a pUC18 vector carrying the seed expression cassette.

[0105] Soybean embryos may then be transformed with the expression vector comprising sequences encoding the instant polypeptides. To induce somatic embryos, cotyledons, 3-5 mm in length dissected from surface sterilized, immature seeds of the soybean cultivar A2872, can be cultured in the light or dark at 26° C. on an appropriate agar medium for 6-10 weeks. Somatic embryos which produce secondary embryos are then excised and placed into a suitable liquid medium. After repeated selection for clusters of somatic embryos which multiplied as early, globular staged embryos, the suspensions are maintained as described below.

[0106] Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures can maintained in 35 mL liquid media on a rotary shaker, 150 rpm, at 26° C. with florescent lights on a 16:8 hour day/night schedule. Cultures are subcultured every two weeks by inoculating approximately 35 mg of tissue into 35 mL of liquid medium.

[0107] Soybean embryogenic suspension cultures may then be transformed by the method of particle gun bombardment (Klein et al. (1987) Nature (London) 327:70-73, U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,050). A DuPont Biolistic™ PDS 1000/HE instrument (helium retrofit) can be used for these transformations.

[0108] A selectable marker gene which can be used to facilitate soybean transformation is a chimeric gene composed of the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (Odell et al. (1985) Nature 313:810-812), the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene from plasmid pJR225 (from E. coli; Gritz et al.(1983) Gene 25:179-188) and the 3′ region of the nopaline synthase gene from the T-DNA of the Ti plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The seed expression cassette comprising the phaseolin 5′ region, the fragment encoding the instant polypeptides and the phaseolin 3′ region can be isolated as a restriction fragment. This fragment can then be inserted into a unique restriction site of the vector carrying the marker gene.

[0109] To 50 μL of a 60 mg/mL 1 μm gold particle suspension is added (in order): 5 μL DNA (1 μg/μL), 20 μl spermidine (0.1 M), and 50 μL CaCl₂ (2.5 M). The particle preparation is then agitated for three minutes, spun in a microfuge for 10 seconds and the supernatant removed. The DNA-coated particles are then washed once in 400 μL 70% ethanol and resuspended in 40 μL of anhydrous ethanol. The DNA/particle suspension can be sonicated three times for one second each. Five μL of the DNA-coated gold particles are then loaded on each macro carrier disk.

[0110] Approximately 300-400 mg of a two-week-old suspension culture is placed in an empty 60×15 mm petri dish and the residual liquid removed from the tissue with a pipette. For each transformation experiment, approximately 5-10 plates of tissue are normally bombarded. Membrane rupture pressure is set at 1100 psi and the chamber is evacuated to a vacuum of 28 inches mercury. The tissue is placed approximately 3.5 inches away from the retaining screen and bombarded three times. Following bombardment, the tissue can be divided in half and placed back into liquid and cultured as described above.

[0111] Five to seven days post bombardment, the liquid media may be exchanged with fresh media, and eleven to twelve days post bombardment with fresh media containing 50 mg/mL hygromycin. This selective media can be refreshed weekly. Seven to eight weeks post bombardment, green, transformed tissue may be observed growing from untransformed, necrotic embryogenic clusters. Isolated green tissue is removed and inoculated into individual flasks to generate new, clonally propagated, transformed embryogenic suspension cultures. Each new line may be treated as an independent transformation event. These suspensions can then be subcultured and maintained as clusters of immature embryos or regenerated into whole plants by maturation and germination of individual somatic embryos.

Example 10 Expression of Chimeric Genes in Microbial Cells

[0112] The cDNAs encoding the instant polypeptides can be inserted into the T7 E. coli expression vector pBT430. This vector is a derivative of pET-3a (Rosenberg et al. (1987) Gene 56:125-135) which employs the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase/T7 promoter system. Plasmid pBT430 was constructed by first destroying the EcoR I and Hind III sites in pET-3a at their original positions. An oligonucleotide adaptor containing EcoR I and Hind III sites was inserted at the BamH I site of pET-3a. This created pET-3aM with additional unique cloning sites for insertion of genes into the expression vector. Then, the Nde I site at the position of translation initiation was converted to an Nco I site using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The DNA sequence of pET-3aM in this region, 5′-CATATGG, was converted to 5′-CCCATGG in pBT430.

[0113] Plasmid DNA containing a CDNA may be appropriately digested to release a nucleic acid fragment encoding the protein. This fragment may then be purified on a 1% NuSieve GTG™ low melting agarose gel (FMC). Buffer and agarose contain 10 μg/ml ethidium bromide for visualization of the DNA fragment. The fragment can then be purified from the agarose gel by digestion with GELase™ (Epicentre Technologies) according to the manufacturer's instructions, ethanol precipitated, dried and resuspended in 20 μL of water. Appropriate oligonucleotide adapters may be ligated to the fragment using T4 DNA ligase (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.). The fragment containing the ligated adapters can be purified from the excess adapters using low melting agarose as described above. The vector pBT430 is digested, dephosphorylated with alkaline phosphatase (NEB) and deproteinized with phenol/chloroform as described above. The prepared vector pBT430 and fragment can then be ligated at 16° C. for 15 hours followed by transformation into DH5 electrocompetent cells (GIBCO BRL). Transformants can be selected on agar plates containing LB media and 100 μg/mL ampicillin. Transformants containing the gene encoding the instant polypeptides are then screened for the correct orientation with respect to the T7 promoter by restriction enzyme analysis.

[0114] For high level expression, a plasmid clone with the cDNA insert in the correct orientation relative to the T7 promoter can be transformed into E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) (Studier et al. (1986) J. Mol. Biol. 189:113-130). Cultures are grown in LB medium containing ampicillin (100 mg/L) at 25° C. At an optical density at 600 nm of approximately 1, IPTG (isopropylthio-62 -galactoside, the inducer) can be added to a final concentration of 0.4 mM and incubation can be continued for 3 h at 25°. Cells are then harvested by centrifugation and re-suspended in 50 μL of 50 mM Tris-HCl at pH 8.0 containing 0.1 mM DTT and 0.2 mM phenyl methylsulfonyl fluoride. A small amount of 1 mm glass beads can be added and the mixture sonicated 3 times for about 5 seconds each time with a microprobe sonicator. The mixture is centrifuged and the protein concentration of the supernatant determined. One μg of protein from the soluble fraction of the culture can be separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Gels can be observed for protein bands migrating at the expected molecular weight.

[0115] Various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0116] The disclosure of each reference set forth above is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

1 39 1 658 DNA Momordica charantia unsure (348) unsure (397) unsure (403) unsure (459) unsure (491) unsure (532) unsure (544) unsure (574) unsure (598) unsure (630) unsure (649) 1 attagaagac gaggaggagc ggcggcggcg agaggacgtg gccgtgcagg aggacatggc 60 gaaggtgttt ccggagtggc tgaagatcaa cagggagacg gtttctgctg atgatttgag 120 gaatgtgagg attaagaagg ccaccattga gagcgccgcc cagcgcctag gcggcggcaa 180 ggagggcatg aagcagctcc tgaagctcat tctagagtgg gttcaaacca atcatctcca 240 gaagaggaaa ataaaaaacc cgaaagccgc ggctgccgcc gcggctgcca acaattatat 300 ggggggtcct ttcaaaaccc taatccaacc tcccaagtgg gatgcaantc cgccgccgca 360 gcatcttcta cctcccgacc gggctggggt actcccnggc gcnggcgccg gccggattaa 420 cgatcatcgc ttacccgaca agtatggcaa ctggtcganc ctcaactaac agtatggtct 480 accggtcatt naccgttccg gacggaattt ctccgcgcaa cgtcccggtt cntaaggcaa 540 cggnacatac cggcggtacg gatttgccaa agtnccggaa atgttggtag ttgatatngg 600 acagaaccga aaacgtgcaa gagccgttcn cacgacatac acacagggnc aatccaag 658 2 68 PRT Momordica charantia 2 Gln Glu Asp Met Ala Lys Val Phe Pro Glu Trp Leu Lys Ile Asn Arg 1 5 10 15 Glu Thr Val Ser Ala Asp Asp Leu Arg Asn Val Arg Ile Lys Lys Ala 20 25 30 Thr Ile Glu Ser Ala Ala Gln Arg Leu Gly Gly Gly Lys Glu Gly Met 35 40 45 Lys Gln Leu Leu Lys Leu Ile Leu Glu Trp Val Gln Thr Asn His Leu 50 55 60 Gln Lys Arg Lys 65 3 305 DNA Zea mays unsure (26) unsure (28) unsure (34) unsure (46) unsure (49) unsure (82) unsure (100) unsure (161) 3 aactctggag agtacccaag tcattntngc gcanggagtt gccaangant gatgtcgcaa 60 atcccggacg aattgtgttt cncaagaagg atgctgagcn tggtcttcca cccattggtg 120 caagggatcc tctgatactg cagatggatg acatggtgct nccaattata tggaaattta 180 agtatagatt ttggccaaac aacaaaagca gaatgtatat cttggaagct gcaggtgaat 240 tcgtgaagac acatggcctt caggcagggg atgcgctcat tatctacaaa aactccgtgc 300 ctggc 305 4 90 PRT Zea mays UNSURE (4)..(5) UNSURE (16) UNSURE (22) 4 Glu Leu Pro Xaa Xaa Asp Val Ala Asn Pro Gly Arg Ile Val Phe Xaa 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Asp Ala Glu Xaa Gly Leu Pro Pro Ile Gly Ala Arg Asp Pro 20 25 30 Leu Ile Leu Gln Met Asp Asp Met Val Leu Pro Ile Ile Trp Lys Phe 35 40 45 Lys Tyr Arg Phe Trp Pro Asn Asn Lys Ser Arg Met Tyr Ile Leu Glu 50 55 60 Ala Ala Gly Glu Phe Val Lys Thr His Gly Leu Gln Ala Gly Asp Ala 65 70 75 80 Leu Ile Ile Tyr Lys Asn Ser Val Pro Gly 85 90 5 354 DNA Zea mays 5 ctgagtcgaa gcagagccat gaaagttgtg cttccgtgaa taataagttc aactctggca 60 gagtaccaag tcattttgcg caaggagttg acaaagagtg atgtcgcaaa ttccggacga 120 attgtgcttc ccaagaagga tgctgaggct ggtcttccac cattggtgca aggggatcct 180 ctgatactgc agatggatga catggtgctt ccaattatat ggaaatttaa gtatagattt 240 tggccaaaca acaaaagcag aatgtatatc ttggaagctg caggtgaatt cgtgaagaca 300 catggccttc aggcagggga tgcgctcatt atctacaaaa actccgtgcc tggc 354 6 94 PRT Zea mays 6 Ile Leu Arg Lys Glu Leu Thr Lys Ser Asp Val Ala Asn Ser Gly Arg 1 5 10 15 Ile Val Leu Pro Lys Lys Asp Ala Glu Ala Gly Leu Pro Pro Leu Val 20 25 30 Gln Gly Asp Pro Leu Ile Leu Gln Met Asp Asp Met Val Leu Pro Ile 35 40 45 Ile Trp Lys Phe Lys Tyr Arg Phe Trp Pro Asn Asn Lys Ser Arg Met 50 55 60 Tyr Ile Leu Glu Ala Ala Gly Glu Phe Val Lys Thr His Gly Leu Gln 65 70 75 80 Ala Gly Asp Ala Leu Ile Ile Tyr Lys Asn Ser Val Pro Gly 85 90 7 450 DNA Oryza sativa unsure (294) unsure (313) unsure (382) unsure (414) unsure (425) unsure (436) unsure (438) 7 gtgttatctt gcgcaaggag ttgacaaata gtgatgttgg taatattgga agaattgtga 60 tgccaaagag ggatgcagag gctcatcttc cagcattgca tcaaagggaa ggtgtgatgc 120 tgaaaatgga tgacttcaag cttgaaacta cttggaattt taagtacagg ttctggccca 180 acaacaagag cagaatgtat gtcttggaaa gcacgggtgg ctttgtgaag cagcatggtc 240 tccagacagg ggacatattc atcatctaca aaagctcgga gtctgagaaa ttanttgttc 300 gtggggagaa ggncattaag cccaatgtca tcatgcctaa tgtggactgc aagctgcaaa 360 aatgatctca acaacagcga anaatgcggg ttccctatca acccgctgac taanaaaacc 420 tgatntggga tgggancntc aagtccttgg 450 8 112 PRT Oryza sativa UNSURE (98) UNSURE (104) 8 Val Ile Leu Arg Lys Glu Leu Thr Asn Ser Asp Val Gly Asn Ile Gly 1 5 10 15 Arg Ile Val Met Pro Lys Arg Asp Ala Glu Ala His Leu Pro Ala Leu 20 25 30 His Gln Arg Glu Gly Val Met Leu Lys Met Asp Asp Phe Lys Leu Glu 35 40 45 Thr Thr Trp Asn Phe Lys Tyr Arg Phe Trp Pro Asn Asn Lys Ser Arg 50 55 60 Met Tyr Val Leu Glu Ser Thr Gly Gly Phe Val Lys Gln His Gly Leu 65 70 75 80 Gln Thr Gly Asp Ile Phe Ile Ile Tyr Lys Ser Ser Glu Ser Glu Lys 85 90 95 Leu Xaa Val Arg Gly Glu Lys Xaa Ile Lys Pro Asn Val Ile Met Pro 100 105 110 9 505 DNA Zea mays unsure (450) unsure (459) unsure (466) unsure (484)..(485) unsure (491) unsure (497) unsure (501) 9 cttccttcct tctccgctcg tcgtcgttct accggcatgg ccggcattac caagcgccgc 60 acctccccgg cctccacctc ctcttcgtcc ggcgacgtct tgccgcagcg ggtcacccgg 120 aagcgtcggt ccgcccgccg cgggccccgg agcaccgccc gtaggccgtc ggcgcctcca 180 cctatgaatg aactggactt gaatacagct gctcttgatc cggatcatta tgctacagga 240 ttgagagttc ttcttcagaa ggagctccga aatagcgatg taagccagct tgggagaatt 300 gttctcccaa agaaggaggc ggagtcttac ctccctattc tgatggcaaa ggatggaaag 360 agtttatgca tgcatgactt gctaaattca caactgtggg accttcaagt atagatattg 420 ggtcaacaac aaaagcaaga tgtatgtgcn tgaaaatanc ggagantatg ttaaaagctc 480 aagnncttca ncaaggngac ntcat 505 10 160 PRT Zea mays UNSURE (150) UNSURE (153) UNSURE (155) 10 Leu Pro Ser Phe Ser Ala Arg Arg Arg Ser Thr Gly Met Ala Gly Ile 1 5 10 15 Thr Lys Arg Arg Thr Ser Pro Ala Ser Thr Ser Ser Ser Ser Gly Asp 20 25 30 Val Leu Pro Gln Arg Val Thr Arg Lys Arg Arg Ser Ala Arg Arg Gly 35 40 45 Pro Arg Ser Thr Ala Arg Arg Pro Ser Ala Pro Pro Pro Met Asn Glu 50 55 60 Leu Asp Leu Asn Thr Ala Ala Leu Asp Pro Asp His Tyr Ala Thr Gly 65 70 75 80 Leu Arg Val Leu Leu Gln Lys Glu Leu Arg Asn Ser Asp Val Ser Gln 85 90 95 Leu Gly Arg Ile Val Leu Pro Lys Lys Glu Ala Glu Ser Tyr Leu Pro 100 105 110 Ile Leu Met Ala Lys Asp Gly Lys Ser Leu Cys Met His Asp Leu Leu 115 120 125 Asn Ser Gln Leu Trp Asp Leu Gln Tyr Arg Tyr Trp Val Asn Asn Lys 130 135 140 Ser Lys Met Tyr Val Xaa Glu Asn Xaa Gly Xaa Tyr Val Lys Ser Ser 145 150 155 160 11 1249 DNA Zea mays 11 gcacgagctt ccttccttct ccgctcgtcg tcgttctacc ggcatggccg gcattaccaa 60 gcgccgcacc tccccggcct ccacctcctc ttcgtccggc gacgtcttgc cgcagcgggt 120 cacccggaag cgtcggtccg cccgccgcgg gccccggagc accgcccgta ggccgtcggc 180 gcctccacct atgaatgaac tggacttgaa tacagctgct cttgatccgg atcattatgc 240 tacaggattg agagttcttc ttcagaagga gctccgaaat agcgatgtaa gccagcttgg 300 gagaattgtt ctcccaaaga aggaggcgga gtcttacctc cctattctga tggcaaagga 360 tggaaagagt ttatgcatgc atgacttgct aaattcacaa ctgtggacct tcaagtatag 420 atattggttc aacaacaaaa gcaggatgta tgtgcttgaa aataccggag attatgtaaa 480 agctcatgac cttcagcaag gagacttcat cgtgatctac aaggacgacg agaacaaccg 540 ctttgtcata ggagcaaaga aggcaggaga tgagcagacc gccactgtac ctcaagtcca 600 tgaacacatg cacatctctg ccgcactgcc agctccacaa gcgttccatg actatgcagg 660 ccccgtcgca gcagaagctg gtatgctcgc gatcgtgcca cagggtgacg agatattcga 720 cggcatactg aactccctgc cggagatacc agtggcgaac gtgaggtact ccgacttctt 780 cgacccgttc ggtgactcca tggacatggc aaatccgctg agctcctcca ataacccctc 840 ggtcaacctg gctacgcact tccatgacga gaggatcggg agctgctcgt ttccctaccc 900 aaaatccggg cctcagatgt gagatcctgg cagaaaaact gccgcggtca aaaccatcat 960 cccctgcgtg gaactcagag atcccctggt tgacgccatt gctgtacatc caaataaatg 1020 gcgtcctcat tttgtatgtt cagtagtata tgattgggta cgcgtgttgt ttatgtgtaa 1080 aagggtaact ctgcaaaact gaactgagcg ttacatcaga tgcaacgctg tgacgactga 1140 cgaggaggca ggctctggtg tttcctgtcc caaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa 1200 aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa 1249 12 292 PRT Zea mays 12 Met Ala Gly Ile Thr Lys Arg Arg Thr Ser Pro Ala Ser Thr Ser Ser 1 5 10 15 Ser Ser Gly Asp Val Leu Pro Gln Arg Val Thr Arg Lys Arg Arg Ser 20 25 30 Ala Arg Arg Gly Pro Arg Ser Thr Ala Arg Arg Pro Ser Ala Pro Pro 35 40 45 Pro Met Asn Glu Leu Asp Leu Asn Thr Ala Ala Leu Asp Pro Asp His 50 55 60 Tyr Ala Thr Gly Leu Arg Val Leu Leu Gln Lys Glu Leu Arg Asn Ser 65 70 75 80 Asp Val Ser Gln Leu Gly Arg Ile Val Leu Pro Lys Lys Glu Ala Glu 85 90 95 Ser Tyr Leu Pro Ile Leu Met Ala Lys Asp Gly Lys Ser Leu Cys Met 100 105 110 His Asp Leu Leu Asn Ser Gln Leu Trp Thr Phe Lys Tyr Arg Tyr Trp 115 120 125 Phe Asn Asn Lys Ser Arg Met Tyr Val Leu Glu Asn Thr Gly Asp Tyr 130 135 140 Val Lys Ala His Asp Leu Gln Gln Gly Asp Phe Ile Val Ile Tyr Lys 145 150 155 160 Asp Asp Glu Asn Asn Arg Phe Val Ile Gly Ala Lys Lys Ala Gly Asp 165 170 175 Glu Gln Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Gln Val His Glu His Met His Ile Ser 180 185 190 Ala Ala Leu Pro Ala Pro Gln Ala Phe His Asp Tyr Ala Gly Pro Val 195 200 205 Ala Ala Glu Ala Gly Met Leu Ala Ile Val Pro Gln Gly Asp Glu Ile 210 215 220 Phe Asp Gly Ile Leu Asn Ser Leu Pro Glu Ile Pro Val Ala Asn Val 225 230 235 240 Arg Tyr Ser Asp Phe Phe Asp Pro Phe Gly Asp Ser Met Asp Met Ala 245 250 255 Asn Pro Leu Ser Ser Ser Asn Asn Pro Ser Val Asn Leu Ala Thr His 260 265 270 Phe His Asp Glu Arg Ile Gly Ser Cys Ser Phe Pro Tyr Pro Lys Ser 275 280 285 Gly Pro Gln Met 290 13 467 DNA Zea mays unsure (303) unsure (377) unsure (421) unsure (437)..(438) unsure (465) 13 cacccctccc gcaacagaag catacgccgt gcccagctat ctatagccag cactagcagt 60 ggtgcacact gaaatggaca gcgccagcag cctcgtggac gacaccagca gcggtggcgg 120 cggcggcgcg tccacggaca agctaagggc tctggccgtc ttcgccgccg cctcggggac 180 gccgctggag cgcatgggca gcggcgccag cgcggtcgtg gacgcggccg agccgggcgc 240 cgaggcagac tccggttccg gtgccgccgc ggtgagcgtt ggcgggaagc tgccgtcgtc 300 cangtacaag ggcgtggtgc ccgcaaccca acgggcggtg gggcgcgcaa atttacgaag 360 cgccaaccaa gcgcgtngtg ggcttcgggc aactttcccg ggcgaaggcc cgacgccggt 420 ngccgccgcc ctaccanntt cgccgggcgg caaacgggtt ccgcngg 467 14 95 PRT Zea mays UNSURE (77) 14 Met Asp Ser Ala Ser Ser Leu Val Asp Asp Thr Ser Ser Gly Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp Lys Leu Arg Ala Leu Ala Val Phe Ala Ala 20 25 30 Ala Ser Gly Thr Pro Leu Glu Arg Met Gly Ser Gly Ala Ser Ala Val 35 40 45 Val Asp Ala Ala Glu Pro Gly Ala Glu Ala Asp Ser Gly Ser Gly Ala 50 55 60 Ala Ala Val Ser Val Gly Gly Lys Leu Pro Ser Ser Xaa Tyr Lys Gly 65 70 75 80 Val Val Pro Gln Pro Asn Gly Arg Trp Gly Ala Gln Ile Tyr Glu 85 90 95 15 518 DNA Oryza sativa unsure (501) unsure (516) 15 cttacacgct gttcgagaag gccgtgacgc ccagcgacgt cggcaagctc aaccgcctcg 60 tggtgcccaa gcagcacgcc gagaagcact tcccgctccg ccgcgcggcg agctccgact 120 ccgcctccgc cgccgccacc ggcaagggcg tgctcctcaa cttcgaggac ggcgagggga 180 aggtgtggcg attccggtac tcgtactgga acagcagcca gagctacgtg ctgaccaagg 240 ggtggagccg attcgtgagg gagaagggcc tccgcgccgg cgacaccata gtcttctccc 300 gctcggcgta cggccccgac aagctgctct tcatcgactg caagaagaac aacgcggcgg 360 cggcgaccac cacctgcgcc ggcgacgaga ggccaaccac aagcggcgcc gaaccacgcg 420 tcgtgaggct cttcggcgtc gacatcgccg gcggcgattg ccggaagcgg gaaaaggcgg 480 tggagatggg gcaagaagtc ntcctactga agaagnaa 518 16 94 PRT Oryza sativa 16 Tyr Thr Leu Phe Glu Lys Ala Val Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu 1 5 10 15 Asn Arg Leu Val Val Pro Lys Gln His Ala Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu 20 25 30 Arg Arg Ala Ala Ser Ser Asp Ser Ala Ser Ala Ala Ala Thr Gly Lys 35 40 45 Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Gly Glu Gly Lys Val Trp Arg Phe 50 55 60 Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu Thr Lys Gly 65 70 75 80 Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Arg Glu Lys Gly Leu Arg Ala Gly Asp 85 90 17 875 DNA Oryza sativa 17 gcacgagctt acacgctgtt cgagaaggcc gtgacgccca gcgacgtcgg caagctcaac 60 cgcctcgtgg tgcccaagca gcacgccgag aagcacttcc cgctccgccg cgcggcgagc 120 tccgactccg cctccgccgc cgccaccggc aagggcgtgc tcctcaactt cgaggacggc 180 gaggggaagg tgtggcgatt ccggtactcg tactggaaca gcagccagag ctacgtgctg 240 accaaggggt ggagccgatt cgtgagggag aagggcctcc gcgccggcga caccatagtc 300 ttctcccgct cggcgtacgg ccccgacaag ctgctcttca tcgactgcaa gaagaacaac 360 gcggcggcgg cgaccaccac ctgcgccggc gacgagaggc caaccacaag cggcgccgaa 420 ccacgcgtcg tgaggctctt cggcgtcgac atcgccggcg gcgattgccg gaagcgggag 480 agggcggtgg agatggggca agaggtcttc ctactgaaga ggcaatgcgt ggttcatcag 540 cgtactcctg ccctaggtgc cctgctgtta tagcatcaaa tcaaattcat atatagatca 600 aatcaaatct tcttctcttc catctttttt gttgttcatc gtctgttgtt tcatcttcga 660 tttagagctg ttctatcttc gactttcttt ttttgttttt tgtctttatt ttgcatagaa 720 gtttgtcagg tcagagattg caaatgatcg atcaagatcg agctgtatat gtacagcctt 780 attaggaaat taagtctaga gatcattcaa gtatgtacaa ttatctaata gtacatagta 840 ataagttctg tttcaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaa 875 18 190 PRT Oryza sativa 18 Ala Arg Ala Tyr Thr Leu Phe Glu Lys Ala Val Thr Pro Ser Asp Val 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Val Pro Lys Gln His Ala Glu Lys His 20 25 30 Phe Pro Leu Arg Arg Ala Ala Ser Ser Asp Ser Ala Ser Ala Ala Ala 35 40 45 Thr Gly Lys Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Gly Glu Gly Lys Val 50 55 60 Trp Arg Phe Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu 65 70 75 80 Thr Lys Gly Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Arg Glu Lys Gly Leu Arg Ala Gly 85 90 95 Asp Thr Ile Val Phe Ser Arg Ser Ala Tyr Gly Pro Asp Lys Leu Leu 100 105 110 Phe Ile Asp Cys Lys Lys Asn Asn Ala Ala Ala Ala Thr Thr Thr Cys 115 120 125 Ala Gly Asp Glu Arg Pro Thr Thr Ser Gly Ala Glu Pro Arg Val Val 130 135 140 Arg Leu Phe Gly Val Asp Ile Ala Gly Gly Asp Cys Arg Lys Arg Glu 145 150 155 160 Arg Ala Val Glu Met Gly Gln Glu Val Phe Leu Leu Lys Arg Gln Cys 165 170 175 Val Val His Gln Arg Thr Pro Ala Leu Gly Ala Leu Leu Leu 180 185 190 19 1577 DNA Glycine max unsure (330) unsure (531) 19 agagtcaaac aaagtaacaa accatcctcc cctctcttct cttcttttgt tctctagatt 60 tcttctctct tgtttcttag aatccgtaca atctaatcaa cacaacaaaa atggatgcaa 120 ttagttgcat ggatgagagc accaccactg agtcactctc tataagtctt tctccgacgt 180 catcgtcgga gaaagcgaag ccttcttcga tgattacatc gtcggagaag gtttctctgt 240 ccccgccgcc gtcaaacaga ctatgccgtg ttggaagcgg cgcgagcgca gtcgtggatc 300 ctgatggcgg cggcagcggc gctgaagtan agtcgcggaa actcccctcc gtcgaaagta 360 caaagggcgt ggtgccccaa cccaacgggc gctggggtgc gcagatttac gagaagcaac 420 agcgcgtgtg gcttgggaaa gttaacgagg aaagacaagc ggcgcgtgcg tacgacatcg 480 ccgcgcaacg gttccgcggc aaggacgccg tcacgaactt caagccgctc nccggcgccg 540 acgacgacga cggagaatcg gagtttctca actcgcattc caaacccgag atcgtcgaca 600 tgctgcgaaa gcacacgtac aatgacgagc tggagcagag caagcgcagc cgcggcgtcg 660 tccggcggcg aggctccgcc gccgccggca ccgcaaactc aatttccggc gcgtgcttta 720 ctaaggcacg tgagcagcta ttcgagaagg ctgttacgcc gagcgacgtt gggaaattga 780 accgtttggt gataccgaag cagcacgcgg agaagcactt tccgttacag agctctaacg 840 gcgttagcgc gacgacgata gcggcggtga cggcgacgcc gacggcggcg aagggcgttt 900 tgttgaactt cgaagacgtt ggagggaaag tgtggcggtt tcgttactcg tattggaaca 960 gtagccagag ttacgtctta accaaaggtt ggagccggtt cgttaaggag aagaatctga 1020 aagctggtga cacggtttgt tttcaccggt ccactggacc ggacaagcag ctttacatcg 1080 attggaagac gaggaatgtt gttaacaacg aggtcgcgtt gttcggaccg gtcggaccgg 1140 ttgtcgaacc gatccagatg gttcggctct ttggggttaa cattttgaaa ctacccggtt 1200 cagatactat tgttggcaat aacaataatg caagtgggtg ctgcaatggc aagagaagag 1260 aaatggaact gttctcgtta gagtgtagca agaaacctaa gattattggt gctttgtaac 1320 gttacgttag gttttttttt ttcttttttt ttttcgggag tttttgtgac tgatgaaaga 1380 aagaaggtac aagaacggcg gtgtagtggc atggcaagtt gctgcaaagt gcaaaaggtg 1440 aattgtatat tacttaatat tattagatgt tgaaattagg tgtaatgtaa caaaaactgt 1500 acaagaagaa gaaaaaaggt tttaagaagg ggagaagaaa aataaaaata aaagatatca 1560 tatgaaaact gtttaat 1577 20 402 PRT Glycine max UNSURE (74) UNSURE (141) 20 Met Asp Ala Ile Ser Cys Met Asp Glu Ser Thr Thr Thr Glu Ser Leu 1 5 10 15 Ser Ile Ser Leu Ser Pro Thr Ser Ser Ser Glu Lys Ala Lys Pro Ser 20 25 30 Ser Met Ile Thr Ser Ser Glu Lys Val Ser Leu Ser Pro Pro Pro Ser 35 40 45 Asn Arg Leu Cys Arg Val Gly Ser Gly Ala Ser Ala Val Val Asp Pro 50 55 60 Asp Gly Gly Gly Ser Gly Ala Glu Val Xaa Ser Arg Lys Leu Pro Ser 65 70 75 80 Val Glu Ser Thr Lys Gly Val Val Pro Gln Pro Asn Gly Arg Trp Gly 85 90 95 Ala Gln Ile Tyr Glu Lys Gln Gln Arg Val Trp Leu Gly Lys Val Asn 100 105 110 Glu Glu Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg Ala Tyr Asp Ile Ala Ala Gln Arg Phe 115 120 125 Arg Gly Lys Asp Ala Val Thr Asn Phe Lys Pro Leu Xaa Gly Ala Asp 130 135 140 Asp Asp Asp Gly Glu Ser Glu Phe Leu Asn Ser His Ser Lys Pro Glu 145 150 155 160 Ile Val Asp Met Leu Arg Lys His Thr Tyr Asn Asp Glu Leu Glu Gln 165 170 175 Ser Lys Arg Ser Arg Gly Val Val Arg Arg Arg Gly Ser Ala Ala Ala 180 185 190 Gly Thr Ala Asn Ser Ile Ser Gly Ala Cys Phe Thr Lys Ala Arg Glu 195 200 205 Gln Leu Phe Glu Lys Ala Val Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu Asn 210 215 220 Arg Leu Val Ile Pro Lys Gln His Ala Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu Gln 225 230 235 240 Ser Ser Asn Gly Val Ser Ala Thr Thr Ile Ala Ala Val Thr Ala Thr 245 250 255 Pro Thr Ala Ala Lys Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Val Gly Gly 260 265 270 Lys Val Trp Arg Phe Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr 275 280 285 Val Leu Thr Lys Gly Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Lys Glu Lys Asn Leu Lys 290 295 300 Ala Gly Asp Thr Val Cys Phe His Arg Ser Thr Gly Pro Asp Lys Gln 305 310 315 320 Leu Tyr Ile Asp Trp Lys Thr Arg Asn Val Val Asn Asn Glu Val Ala 325 330 335 Leu Phe Gly Pro Val Gly Pro Val Val Glu Pro Ile Gln Met Val Arg 340 345 350 Leu Phe Gly Val Asn Ile Leu Lys Leu Pro Gly Ser Asp Thr Ile Val 355 360 365 Gly Asn Asn Asn Asn Ala Ser Gly Cys Cys Asn Gly Lys Arg Arg Glu 370 375 380 Met Glu Leu Phe Ser Leu Glu Cys Ser Lys Lys Pro Lys Ile Ile Gly 385 390 395 400 Ala Leu 21 570 DNA Glycine max unsure (453) unsure (518) unsure (548) unsure (556) unsure (570) 21 cggcgtcgtc cggcggcgag gctccgccgc cgccggcacc gcaaactcaa tttccggcgc 60 gtgctttact aaggcacgtg agcagctatt cgagaaggct gttacgccga gcgacgttgg 120 gaaattgaac cgtttggtga taccgaagca gcacgcggag aagcactttc cgttacagag 180 ctctaacggc gttagcgcga cgacgatagc ggcggtgacg gcgacgccga cggcggcgaa 240 gggcgttttg ttgaacttcg aagacgttgg agggaaagtg tggcggtttc gttactcgta 300 ttggaacagt agccagagtt acgtcttaac caaagttgga ccggtcgtta aggagaagaa 360 tctgaaactg gtgacacggt ttgttttcac cggtccactg gaccggacaa cacttacatc 420 gattggaaga caagatttgt taacaacaag cgnttttcgg acggtcggac cggtttcgaa 480 cgtcaatgtc ggccttgggt aacattgaaa caccggtnaa tacaatgtgg aatacatatc 540 aatgtgtnat ggaaanaaag aatgactgtn 570 22 166 PRT Glycine max UNSURE (151) 22 Gly Val Val Arg Arg Arg Gly Ser Ala Ala Ala Gly Thr Ala Asn Ser 1 5 10 15 Ile Ser Gly Ala Cys Phe Thr Lys Ala Arg Glu Gln Leu Phe Glu Lys 20 25 30 Ala Val Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Ile Pro 35 40 45 Lys Gln His Ala Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu Gln Ser Ser Asn Gly Val 50 55 60 Ser Ala Thr Thr Ile Ala Ala Val Thr Ala Thr Pro Thr Ala Ala Lys 65 70 75 80 Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Val Gly Gly Lys Val Trp Arg Phe 85 90 95 Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu Thr Lys Val 100 105 110 Gly Pro Val Val Lys Glu Lys Asn Leu Lys Leu Val Thr Arg Phe Val 115 120 125 Phe Thr Gly Pro Leu Asp Arg Thr Thr Leu Thr Ser Ile Gly Arg Gln 130 135 140 Asp Leu Leu Thr Thr Ser Xaa Phe Arg Thr Val Gly Pro Val Ser Asn 145 150 155 160 Val Asn Val Gly Leu Gly 165 23 1167 DNA Zea mays 23 gcacgagagc atactacgcc gctacgcgct gggcggtgcc gcacagctat agatagctag 60 cagtgttgca tagaaatgga cagcgccagc agcctcgtgg acgacaccag cggcagcggc 120 ggcggcgcgt gcacggacaa gctaagggct ttggccgccg ccgccgcctc cgcctcgggg 180 ccaccgccgg agcgcatggg cagcggagcc agcgcggtcg tggacgcggc cgagccgggc 240 gccgaggcgg actccggctc cgccccggcc tccgtcgccg ccgtcgcggc gggcgtgggc 300 gggaagctgc cgtcgtccag gtacaagggc gtggtgccgc agcccaacgg gcggtggggc 360 gcgcagatct acgagcgcca cctgcgcgtg tggctcggca ccttcgcggg cgaggccgac 420 gcggcgcgcg cctacgacgt cgcggcgcag cggttccgcg gccgcgacgc ggccaccaac 480 ttccgcccgc tcgcggacgc cggcccggac gccgccgccg agctccggtt cctggcgtcg 540 cgctccaagg ccgaggtcgt cgacatgctg cgcaagcaca cgtacttcga cgagctcgcg 600 cagaacaagc gcgccttcgc ggcggccgcc gccgccgcct cgtcggcggc ggccaccacc 660 tcgacgtcgc tgggcaacga caaccgttcc tcctcccccg cgtgcgcgcg ggagcacctc 720 ttcgacaagg cggtcacccc cagcgacgtg ggcaagctga accggttggt gatcccgaag 780 cagcacgccg agaggcactt cccggtgcat ctcgcggccg ccgccggcgg cggcgagagc 840 acgggcgtgc tcctcaacct ggaggacgcc gcggggaaag tgtggcggtt ccggtactcg 900 tactggaaca gcagccagag ctacgtgctc accaagggct ggagccgctt cgtcaaggag 960 aagggcctcc aggccggcga cgtcgtcggc ttctaccgct ccgcggccgg cgccgacagc 1020 aagctcttca tcgactgcaa gctgcgaccc aacagcgtgg acaccgcgtc gacgacgagc 1080 cccgtggggt catcgcctcc gccggcgccg gtggcgaagg ccgtgcgtct cttcggcgtc 1140 gaactgctga cggcggccgc gacacat 1167 24 334 PRT Zea mays 24 Met Asp Ser Ala Ser Ser Leu Val Asp Asp Thr Ser Gly Ser Gly Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Ala Cys Thr Asp Lys Leu Arg Ala Leu Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Ser 20 25 30 Ala Ser Gly Pro Pro Pro Glu Arg Met Gly Ser Gly Ala Ser Ala Val 35 40 45 Val Asp Ala Ala Glu Pro Gly Ala Glu Ala Asp Ser Gly Ser Ala Pro 50 55 60 Ala Ser Val Ala Ala Val Ala Ala Gly Val Gly Gly Lys Leu Pro Ser 65 70 75 80 Ser Arg Tyr Lys Gly Val Val Pro Gln Pro Asn Gly Arg Trp Gly Ala 85 90 95 Gln Ile Tyr Glu Arg His Leu Arg Val Trp Leu Gly Thr Phe Ala Gly 100 105 110 Glu Ala Asp Ala Ala Arg Ala Tyr Asp Val Ala Ala Gln Arg Phe Arg 115 120 125 Gly Arg Asp Ala Ala Thr Asn Phe Arg Pro Leu Ala Asp Ala Gly Pro 130 135 140 Asp Ala Ala Ala Glu Leu Arg Phe Leu Ala Ser Arg Ser Lys Ala Glu 145 150 155 160 Val Val Asp Met Leu Arg Lys His Thr Tyr Phe Asp Glu Leu Ala Gln 165 170 175 Asn Lys Arg Ala Phe Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Ser Ser Ala Ala 180 185 190 Ala Thr Thr Ser Thr Ser Leu Gly Asn Asp Asn Arg Ser Ser Ser Pro 195 200 205 Ala Cys Ala Arg Glu His Leu Phe Asp Lys Ala Val Thr Pro Ser Asp 210 215 220 Val Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Ile Pro Lys Gln His Ala Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 His Phe Pro Val His Leu Ala Ala Ala Ala Gly Gly Gly Glu Ser Thr 245 250 255 Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Leu Glu Asp Ala Ala Gly Lys Val Trp Arg Phe 260 265 270 Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu Thr Lys Gly 275 280 285 Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Lys Glu Lys Gly Leu Gln Ala Gly Asp Val Val 290 295 300 Gly Phe Tyr Arg Ser Ala Ala Gly Ala Asp Ser Lys Leu Phe Ile Asp 305 310 315 320 Cys Lys Leu Arg Pro Asn Ser Val Asp Thr Ala Ser Thr Thr 325 330 25 1069 DNA Oryza sativa 25 cttacaccgc gcgcgcctac gacgtcgccg cgcagcgctt ccgcggccgc gacgccgtca 60 ccaacttccg cccgctcgcc gaggccgacc cggacgccgc cgccgagctt cgcttcctcg 120 ccacgcgctc caaggccgag gtcgtcgaca tgctccgcaa gcacacctac ttcgacgagc 180 tcgcgcagag caagcgcacc ttcgccgcct ccacgccgtc ggccgcgacc accaccgcct 240 ccctctccaa cggccacctc tcgtcgcccc gctccccctt cgcgcccgcc gcggcgcgcg 300 accacctgtt cgacaagacg gtcaccccga gcgacgtggg caagctgaac aggctcgtca 360 taccgaagca gcacgccgag aagcacttcc cgctacagct cccgtccgcc ggcggcgaga 420 gcaagggtgt cctcctcaac ttcgaggacg ccgccggcaa ggtgtggcgg ttccggtact 480 cgtactggaa cagcagccag agctacgtgc taaccaaggg ctggagccgc ttcgtcaagg 540 agaagggtct ccacgccggc gacgtcgtcg gcttctaccg ctccgccgcc agtgccggcg 600 acgacggcaa gctcttcatc gactgcaagt tagtacggtc gaccggcgcc gccctcgcgt 660 cgcccgctga tcagccagcg ccgtcgccgg tgaaggccgt caggctcttc ggcgtggacc 720 tgctcacggc gccggcgccg gtcgaacaga tggccgggtg caagagagcc agggacttgg 780 cggcgacgac gcctccacaa gcggcggcgt tcaagaagca atgcatagag ctggcactag 840 tatagagtta gcactattag ctcgatcttc tctagctagt gtcttttttg ctcccatgca 900 tcataattca ggtggtagct agcttagtcc cttgttgatc ctatctacta atctcacttg 960 gttttttttg ttaatttatt cgcccatgtt cctgcttgct ttgctgtaaa tcttttcatc 1020 ccaagtgtac actaatgaag catagcccta gaaggctaga ccaactgaa 1069 26 279 PRT Oryza sativa 26 Thr Ala Arg Ala Tyr Asp Val Ala Ala Gln Arg Phe Arg Gly Arg Asp 1 5 10 15 Ala Val Thr Asn Phe Arg Pro Leu Ala Glu Ala Asp Pro Asp Ala Ala 20 25 30 Ala Glu Leu Arg Phe Leu Ala Thr Arg Ser Lys Ala Glu Val Val Asp 35 40 45 Met Leu Arg Lys His Thr Tyr Phe Asp Glu Leu Ala Gln Ser Lys Arg 50 55 60 Thr Phe Ala Ala Ser Thr Pro Ser Ala Ala Thr Thr Thr Ala Ser Leu 65 70 75 80 Ser Asn Gly His Leu Ser Ser Pro Arg Ser Pro Phe Ala Pro Ala Ala 85 90 95 Ala Arg Asp His Leu Phe Asp Lys Thr Val Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly 100 105 110 Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Ile Pro Lys Gln His Ala Glu Lys His Phe 115 120 125 Pro Leu Gln Leu Pro Ser Ala Gly Gly Glu Ser Lys Gly Val Leu Leu 130 135 140 Asn Phe Glu Asp Ala Ala Gly Lys Val Trp Arg Phe Arg Tyr Ser Tyr 145 150 155 160 Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu Thr Lys Gly Trp Ser Arg Phe 165 170 175 Val Lys Glu Lys Gly Leu His Ala Gly Asp Val Val Gly Phe Tyr Arg 180 185 190 Ser Ala Ala Ser Ala Gly Asp Asp Gly Lys Leu Phe Ile Asp Cys Lys 195 200 205 Leu Val Arg Ser Thr Gly Ala Ala Leu Ala Ser Pro Ala Asp Gln Pro 210 215 220 Ala Pro Ser Pro Val Lys Ala Val Arg Leu Phe Gly Val Asp Leu Leu 225 230 235 240 Thr Ala Pro Ala Pro Val Glu Gln Met Ala Gly Cys Lys Arg Ala Arg 245 250 255 Asp Leu Ala Ala Thr Thr Pro Pro Gln Ala Ala Ala Phe Lys Lys Gln 260 265 270 Cys Ile Glu Leu Ala Leu Val 275 27 541 DNA Oryza sativa unsure (456) unsure (483) 27 ccggacgccg ccgccgagct tcgcttcctc gccacgcgct ccaaggccga ggtcgtcgac 60 atgctccgca agcacaccta cttcgacgag ctcgcgcaga gcaagcgcac cttcgccgcc 120 tccacgccgt cggccgcgac caccaccgcc tccctctcca acggccacct ctcgtcgccc 180 cgctccccct tcgcgcccgc cgcggcgcgc gaccacctgt tcgacaagac ggtcaccccg 240 agcgacgtgg gcaagctgaa caggctcgtc ataccgaagc agcacgccga gaagcacttc 300 ccgctacagc tcccgtccgc cggcggcgag agcaagggtg tcctcctcaa cttcgaggac 360 gccgccggca aggtgtggcg gttccggtac tcgtactgga acagcagcca gagctacgtg 420 ctaaccaagg gctggagccg cttcgtcaag gagaanggtc tccacgccgg cgacgtcgtc 480 ggnttctaac gctccgccgc caattgcggc gacgacggca agctcttcat cgactgcaag 540 t 541 28 178 PRT Oryza sativa 28 Pro Asp Ala Ala Ala Glu Leu Arg Phe Leu Ala Thr Arg Ser Lys Ala 1 5 10 15 Glu Val Val Asp Met Leu Arg Lys His Thr Tyr Phe Asp Glu Leu Ala 20 25 30 Gln Ser Lys Arg Thr Phe Ala Ala Ser Thr Pro Ser Ala Ala Thr Thr 35 40 45 Thr Ala Ser Leu Ser Asn Gly His Leu Ser Ser Pro Arg Ser Pro Phe 50 55 60 Ala Pro Ala Ala Ala Arg Asp His Leu Phe Asp Lys Thr Val Thr Pro 65 70 75 80 Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Ile Pro Lys Gln His Ala 85 90 95 Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu Gln Leu Pro Ser Ala Gly Gly Glu Ser Lys 100 105 110 Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Ala Ala Gly Lys Val Trp Arg Phe 115 120 125 Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu Thr Lys Gly 130 135 140 Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Lys Glu Lys Gly Leu His Ala Gly Asp Val Val 145 150 155 160 Gly Phe Tyr Arg Ser Ala Ala Ser Ala Gly Asp Asp Gly Lys Leu Phe 165 170 175 Ile Asp 29 542 DNA Glycine max 29 gtttctctct gtttcttcct acttcatgct atagcactta caatactcaa caataaccta 60 accaaaccaa accaaaccaa aacccttatc tgcactcact tcacacaaac caaagttaat 120 taattaccaa cacaaaatgg atggaggctg tgtcacagac gaaaccacca catccagcga 180 ctctctttcc gttccgccgc ccagccgcgt cggcagcgtt gcaagcgccg tcgtcgaccc 240 cgacggttgt tgcgtttccg gcgaggccga atcccggaaa ctcccttcgt cgaaatacaa 300 aggcgtggtg ccgcaaccga acggtcgctg gggagctcag atttacgaga agcaccagcg 360 cgtgtggctc ggcactttca acgaggaaga cgaagccgcc agagcctacg acatcgccgc 420 gctgcgcttc cgcggccccg acgccgtcac caacttcaag cctcccgccg cctccgacga 480 cgccgagtcc gagttcctca actcgcaatt caaagttcga gatcgtcgac atgctccgca 540 ag 542 30 147 PRT Glycine max 30 Met Asp Gly Gly Cys Val Thr Asp Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Ser Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Val Pro Pro Pro Ser Arg Val Gly Ser Val Ala Ser Ala Val 20 25 30 Val Asp Pro Asp Gly Cys Cys Val Ser Gly Glu Ala Glu Ser Arg Lys 35 40 45 Leu Pro Ser Ser Lys Tyr Lys Gly Val Val Pro Gln Pro Asn Gly Arg 50 55 60 Trp Gly Ala Gln Ile Tyr Glu Lys His Gln Arg Val Trp Leu Gly Thr 65 70 75 80 Phe Asn Glu Glu Asp Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Tyr Asp Ile Ala Ala His 85 90 95 Arg Phe Arg Gly Arg Asp Ala Val Thr Asn Phe Lys Pro Leu Ala Gly 100 105 110 Ala Asp Asp Ala Glu Ala Glu Phe Leu Ser Thr His Ser Lys Ser Glu 115 120 125 Ile Val Asp Met Leu Arg Lys His Thr Tyr Asp Asn Glu Leu Gln Gln 130 135 140 Ser Thr Arg 145 31 1296 DNA Glycine max 31 gcacgaggtt tctctctgtt tcttcctact tcatgctata gcacttacaa tactcaacaa 60 taacctaacc aaaccaaacc aaaccaaaac ccttatctgc actcacttca cacaaaccaa 120 agttaattaa ttaccaacac aaaatggatg gaggctgtgt cacagacgaa accaccacat 180 ccagcgactc tctttccgtt ccgccgccca gccgcgtcgg cagcgttgca agcgccgtcg 240 tcgaccccga cggttgttgc gtttccggcg aggccgaatc ccggaaactc ccttcgtcga 300 aatacaaagg cgtggtgccg caaccgaacg gtcgctgggg agctcagatt tacgagaagc 360 accagcgcgt gtggctcggc actttcaacg aggaagacga agccgccaga gcctacgaca 420 tcgccgcgct gcgcttccgc ggccccgacg ccgtcaccaa cttcaagcct cccgccgcct 480 ccgacgacgc cgagtccgag ttcctcaact cgcattccaa gttcgagatc gtcgacatgc 540 tccgcaagca cacctacgac gacgagctcc agcagagcac gcgcggtggt aagcgccgcc 600 tcgacgctga caccgcgtcg agcggtgtgt tcgacgcgaa agcgcgtgag cagctgttcg 660 agaaaacggt tacgccgagc gacgtcggga agctgaatcg attagtgata ccgaagcagc 720 acgcggagaa gcactttccg ttaagcggat ccggcgacga aagctcgccg tgcgtggcgg 780 gggcttcggc ggcgaaggga atgttgttga actttgagga cgttggaggg aaagtgtggc 840 ggtttcgtta ctcttattgg aacagtagcc agagctacgt gcttaccaaa ggatggagcc 900 ggttcgttaa ggagaagaat cttcgagccg gtgacgcggt tcagttcttc aagtcgaccg 960 gaccggaccg gcagctatat atagactgca aggcgaggag tggtgaggtt aacaataatg 1020 ctggcggttt gtttgttccg attggaccgg tcgttgagcc ggttcagatg gttcggcttt 1080 tcggggtcaa ccttttgaaa ctacccgtac ccggttcgga tggtgtaggg aagagaaaag 1140 agatggaact gtttgcattt gaatgttgca agaagttaaa agtaattgga gctttgtaac 1200 attacatagt ttttgagttt cttttgtgaa ttttgtaact gttgaattca tgaggtagag 1260 atggtgatgg tgttgttgca agttgccaaa aaaaaa 1296 32 351 PRT Glycine max 32 Met Asp Gly Gly Cys Val Thr Asp Glu Thr Thr Thr Ser Ser Asp Ser 1 5 10 15 Leu Ser Val Pro Pro Pro Ser Arg Val Gly Ser Val Ala Ser Ala Val 20 25 30 Val Asp Pro Asp Gly Cys Cys Val Ser Gly Glu Ala Glu Ser Arg Lys 35 40 45 Leu Pro Ser Ser Lys Tyr Lys Gly Val Val Pro Gln Pro Asn Gly Arg 50 55 60 Trp Gly Ala Gln Ile Tyr Glu Lys His Gln Arg Val Trp Leu Gly Thr 65 70 75 80 Phe Asn Glu Glu Asp Glu Ala Ala Arg Ala Tyr Asp Ile Ala Ala Leu 85 90 95 Arg Phe Arg Gly Pro Asp Ala Val Thr Asn Phe Lys Pro Pro Ala Ala 100 105 110 Ser Asp Asp Ala Glu Ser Glu Phe Leu Asn Ser His Ser Lys Phe Glu 115 120 125 Ile Val Asp Met Leu Arg Lys His Thr Tyr Asp Asp Glu Leu Gln Gln 130 135 140 Ser Thr Arg Gly Gly Lys Arg Arg Leu Asp Ala Asp Thr Ala Ser Ser 145 150 155 160 Gly Val Phe Asp Ala Lys Ala Arg Glu Gln Leu Phe Glu Lys Thr Val 165 170 175 Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Ile Pro Lys Gln 180 185 190 His Ala Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu Ser Gly Ser Gly Asp Glu Ser Ser 195 200 205 Pro Cys Val Ala Gly Ala Ser Ala Ala Lys Gly Met Leu Leu Asn Phe 210 215 220 Glu Asp Val Gly Gly Lys Val Trp Arg Phe Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn 225 230 235 240 Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val Leu Thr Lys Gly Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Lys 245 250 255 Glu Lys Asn Leu Arg Ala Gly Asp Ala Val Gln Phe Phe Lys Ser Thr 260 265 270 Gly Pro Asp Arg Gln Leu Tyr Ile Asp Cys Lys Ala Arg Ser Gly Glu 275 280 285 Val Asn Asn Asn Ala Gly Gly Leu Phe Val Pro Ile Gly Pro Val Val 290 295 300 Glu Pro Val Gln Met Val Arg Leu Phe Gly Val Asn Leu Leu Lys Leu 305 310 315 320 Pro Val Pro Gly Ser Asp Gly Val Gly Lys Arg Lys Glu Met Glu Leu 325 330 335 Phe Ala Phe Glu Cys Cys Lys Lys Leu Lys Val Ile Gly Ala Leu 340 345 350 33 386 DNA Triticum aestivum unsure (321) unsure (330) unsure (356) unsure (370) unsure (375) unsure (379) 33 gctagcttca gcttttagct aagctctact tccctcccga gctaagcatc ttcttgattt 60 ctcggtgatc ggattcggat ggacagcgca agaagctgcc tcgtggacga cgtgagcagc 120 ggcgcgtcca cgggcaagaa ggcctctccg tccccggccg cgccggcgac caagccgctg 180 cagcgcgtgg gcagcggggc cagcgcggtc atggacgcgc cggagcccgg cgccgaggcg 240 gactccggcc gcgtcggcag gctgccgtcc tccaagtcaa agggtttgtt gccgcatccc 300 aaagggcgct ggggcgcgca natttaagan cgcaacaacg ctttggtcgg aacttnaccg 360 gggaaggccn agctncgcnc gcctaa 386 34 82 PRT Triticum aestivum UNSURE (81) 34 Met Asp Ser Ala Arg Ser Cys Leu Val Asp Asp Val Ser Ser Gly Ala 1 5 10 15 Ser Thr Gly Lys Lys Ala Ser Pro Ser Pro Ala Ala Pro Ala Thr Lys 20 25 30 Pro Leu Gln Arg Val Gly Ser Gly Ala Ser Ala Val Met Asp Ala Pro 35 40 45 Glu Pro Gly Ala Glu Ala Asp Ser Gly Arg Val Gly Arg Leu Pro Ser 50 55 60 Ser Lys Ser Lys Gly Leu Leu Pro His Pro Lys Gly Arg Trp Gly Ala 65 70 75 80 Xaa Ile 35 634 DNA Triticum aestivum unsure (384) unsure (389) unsure (477) unsure (490) unsure (506) unsure (522) unsure (529) unsure (533) unsure (535) unsure (550) unsure (570) unsure (572) unsure (594) unsure (608) unsure (611) unsure (626)..(627) 35 cgcagccgac gccgtcgtgg gcacgggagc ccctcttcga gaaggccgtg accccaagcg 60 atgtcggcaa gctcaatcgg ctcgtggtac cgaagcaaca cgccgagaag cactttcccc 120 tgaagcgcac cccggagacg acgaccacca ccggcaacgg cgtgctgctc aactttgagg 180 acggtgaggg gaaggtgtgg aggttccggt actccgtatt gggaacagca gtcaagagct 240 acgtgctcac aaagggctgg gagtcgcttc gtccgtgaga aggacctccg ctgccgggcg 300 actccatccg tgttctccgt gctcccgcgt acgggcaagg agaagcattc ttcatccgac 360 tgcaaagaag aacacgaccg ttanacggng gcaatctgcg tcgccgctgc cgtggtggga 420 gacgtcaaag gagaacattc cgcgtcgtta ggtttccgtg tcacatcccg gataaanagg 480 tgcaagcgcn atggcggaca aggccnccgg attatcaaga gnaatgctna canangtcgg 540 atccctgccn aagtctcgtc taaagatcgn antcactaat attaaacttc cccnttctct 600 gtgtaatnaa nagtgtcgtc agattnnaat cccg 634 36 96 PRT Triticum aestivum 36 Gln Pro Thr Pro Ser Trp Ala Arg Glu Pro Leu Phe Glu Lys Ala Val 1 5 10 15 Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Val Pro Lys Gln 20 25 30 His Ala Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu Lys Arg Thr Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr 35 40 45 Thr Thr Gly Asn Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Gly Glu Gly Lys 50 55 60 Val Trp Arg Phe Arg Tyr Ser Val Leu Gly Thr Ala Val Lys Ser Tyr 65 70 75 80 Val Leu Thr Lys Gly Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Arg Glu Lys Asp Leu Arg 85 90 95 37 746 DNA Triticum aestivum 37 cgcagccgac gccgtcgtgg gcacgggagc ccctcttcga gaaggccgtg accccaagcg 60 atgtcggcaa gctcaatcgg ctcgtggtac cgaagcaaca cgccgagaag cactttcccc 120 tgaagcgcac cccggagacg acgaccacca ccggcaacgg cgtgctgctc aactttgagg 180 acggtgaggg gaaggtgtgg aggttccggt actcgtattg gaacagcagt cagagctacg 240 tgctcacaaa gggctggagt cgcttcgtcc gtgagaagga cctcgctgcc ggcgactcca 300 tcgtgttctc gtgctccgcg tacgggcagg agaagcagtt cttcatcgac tgcaagaaga 360 acacgaccgt agacggcggc aaatctgcgt cgccgctgcc ggtggtggag actgtcaaag 420 gagaacaagt ccgcgtcgtt aggctgttcg gtgtcgacat cgccggagta aagagggtgc 480 gagcggcgat ggcggagcaa ggcccgccgg agttattcca gaggcaatgc gtgacacacg 540 gtcggcactc tcctgcccta ggttccttcg tcttatagca tctgcacata cacctatata 600 tttatacttt tcctcccttt tcttcttgtt gttaaatgat atatgttgat cctgttcatg 660 aattagataa attctctgta gaactcaatt ttcaagtcgg attgcaaaat gagttgtaat 720 aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa aaaaaa 746 38 191 PRT Triticum aestivum 38 Gln Pro Thr Pro Ser Trp Ala Arg Glu Pro Leu Phe Glu Lys Ala Val 1 5 10 15 Thr Pro Ser Asp Val Gly Lys Leu Asn Arg Leu Val Val Pro Lys Gln 20 25 30 His Ala Glu Lys His Phe Pro Leu Lys Arg Thr Pro Glu Thr Thr Thr 35 40 45 Thr Thr Gly Asn Gly Val Leu Leu Asn Phe Glu Asp Gly Glu Gly Lys 50 55 60 Val Trp Arg Phe Arg Tyr Ser Tyr Trp Asn Ser Ser Gln Ser Tyr Val 65 70 75 80 Leu Thr Lys Gly Trp Ser Arg Phe Val Arg Glu Lys Asp Leu Ala Ala 85 90 95 Gly Asp Ser Ile Val Phe Ser Cys Ser Ala Tyr Gly Gln Glu Lys Gln 100 105 110 Phe Phe Ile Asp Cys Lys Lys Asn Thr Thr Val Asp Gly Gly Lys Ser 115 120 125 Ala Ser Pro Leu Pro Val Val Glu Thr Val Lys Gly Glu Gln Val Arg 130 135 140 Val Val Arg Leu Phe Gly Val Asp Ile Ala Gly Val Lys Arg Val Arg 145 150 155 160 Ala Ala Met Ala Glu Gln Gly Pro Pro Glu Leu Phe Gln Arg Gln Cys 165 170 175 Val Thr His Gly Arg His Ser Pro Ala Leu Gly Ser Phe Val Leu 180 185 190 39 540 DNA Zea mays unsure (471) 39 gagatggatc gcatccaaat aatcttcatg attctaatca ccattgtgga gaaaatgact 60 ctttgtcttc taggaaagtg gcaatgccag aagcttctac aagtgtggat gctggtttca 120 agcttgattc acatcataca tctaatttaa aggatgatcc accatccctt tcagttggtc 180 tggcttctaa ttttgcacca cagaatggac cgaaagacca tatcagaatt gcacctactc 240 agcagcaatc acaaatgact tcctcctcat tgcagaaaca attctattct catgctgtaa 300 ctggttataa tgaattccaa gcacagatgc gcaatggaag accagaatgg attcaaaggc 360 tagatcacaa ttacttcccc gctattggct agaataacag atcaagagct acaacactta 420 tctagcgatt caaattcgta atactctttg tttgaaaaga tctaagtgca ntgatgctgg 480 gcggttggcg ttaattttgc aaagaagtgt gctgagacat actcctcaat ctccacctga 540 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 68 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6 and 8, or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 2. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1, wherein the first nucleotide sequence consists of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, and 7 that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, and
 8. 3. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 4. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 1 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 5. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 1 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 6. An isolated host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 5. 7. An isolated host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim
 1. 8. The isolated host cell of claim 7 wherein the isolated host is selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 9. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 1. 10. A polypeptide of at least 68 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group, consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6 and
 8. 11. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 160 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of FUSCA transcription factor polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs:10 and 12, or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 12. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 11, wherein the first nucleotide sequence consists of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:9 and 11 that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:10 and
 12. 13. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 11 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 14. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 11 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 15. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 11 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 16. An isolated host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 15. 17. An isolated host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim 11 or claim
 13. 18. The isolated host cell of claim 17 wherein the isolated host is selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 19. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 11. 20. A polypeptide of at least 160 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:10 and
 12. 21. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids that has at least 85% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:18 and 20, or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 22. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 21, wherein the first nucleotide sequence consists of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:17 and 19 that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:18 and
 20. 23. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 21 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 24. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 21 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 25. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 21 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 26. An isolated host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 25. 27. An isolated host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim
 21. 28. The isolated host cell of claim 27 wherein the isolated host is selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 29. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 21. 30. A polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids that has at least 85% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:18 and
 20. 31. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a first polypeptide of at least 95 amino acids that has at least 85% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to SEQ ID NO:14, or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 32. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 31, wherein the first nucleotide sequence consists of a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:13 that codes for the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14.
 33. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 31 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 34. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 31 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 35. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 31 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 36. An isolated host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 35. 37. An isolated host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim
 31. 38. The isolated host cell of claim 37 wherein the isolated host is selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 39. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 31. 40. A polypeptide of at least 95 amino acids that has at least 85% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:14.
 41. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:24, 26, 32 and 38 or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 42. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 41, wherein the nucleotide sequence consists of a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs:23, 25, 31 and 37: that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:24, 26, 32 and
 38. 43. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 41 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 44. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 41 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 45. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 41 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 46. An isolated host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 45. 47. An isolated host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim 41 or claim
 43. 48. The isolated host cell of claim 47 wherein the isolated host selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 49. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 41. 50. A polypeptide of at least 190 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:24, 26, 32 and
 38. 51. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 80 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to SEQ ID NO:34 or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 52. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 51, wherein the nucleotide sequence consists of a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:33 that codes for the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34.
 53. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 51 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 54. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 51 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 55. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 51 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 56. A host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 55. 57. A host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim
 51. 58. The host cell of claim 57 wherein the isolated host is selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 59. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 51. 60. A polypeptide of at least 80 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:34.
 61. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 300 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42 and 44, or a second nucleotide sequence comprising the complement of the first nucleotide sequence.
 62. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 61, wherein the first nucleotide sequence consists of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:41 and 43 that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42 and
 44. 63. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 61 wherein the nucleotide sequences are DNA.
 64. The isolated polynucleotide of claim 61 wherein the nucleotide sequences are RNA.
 65. A chimeric gene comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim 61 operably linked to suitable regulatory sequences.
 66. An isolated host cell comprising the chimeric gene of claim
 65. 67. An isolated host cell comprising an isolated polynucleotide of claim
 61. 68. The isolated host cell of claim 67 wherein the isolated host is selected from the group consisting of yeast, bacteria, plant, and virus.
 69. A virus comprising the isolated polynucleotide of claim
 61. 70. A polypeptide of at least 300 amino acids that has at least 80% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:42 and
 44. 71. A method of selecting an isolated polynucleotide that affects the level of expression of a transcription factor polypeptide in a plant cell, the method comprising the steps of: (a) constructing an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 30 contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences; (b) introducing the isolated polynucleotide into a plant cell; and (c) measuring the level of a polypeptide in the plant cell containing the polynucleotide to provide a positive selection means.
 72. The method of claim 71 wherein the isolated polynucleotide consists of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41 and 43 that codes for the polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 26, 32, 34, 38, 42 and
 44. 73. A method of selecting an isolated polynucleotide that affects the level of expression of a transcription factor polypeptide in a plant cell, the method comprising the steps of: (a) constructing an isolated polynucleotide of any of claims 1, 11, 21, 31, 41, 51 or 61; (b) introducing the isolated polynucleotide into a plant cell; and (c) measuring the level of polypeptide in the plant cell containing the polynucleotide to provide a positive selection means.
 74. A method of obtaining a nucleic acid fragment encoding a transcription factor polypeptide comprising the steps of: (a) synthesizing an oligonucleotide primer comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 30 contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, 31, 33, 37, 41, 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences; and (b) amplifying a nucleic acid sequence using the oligonucleotide primer.
 75. A method of obtaining a nucleic acid fragment encoding a transcription factor polypeptide comprising the steps of: (a) probing a cDNA or genomic library with an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least one of 30 contiguous nucleotides derived from a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 25, 31, 33, 37, 41 and 43 and the complement of such nucleotide sequences; (b) identifying a DNA clone that hybridizes with the isolated polynucleotide; (c) isolating the identified DNA clone; and (d) sequencing the cDNA or genomic fragment that comprises the isolated DNA clone.
 76. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a first nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide of at least 50 amino acids that has at least 70% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:16, 28, 30, 34, 36, and
 40. 77. A polypeptide of at least 50 amino acids that has at least 70% identity based on the Clustal method of alignment when compared to a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:16, 28, 30, 34, 36, and
 40. 